Films about voting often explore the power of democracy, the struggles for representation, and the impact of political decisions on people's lives. These films can range from documentaries to fictional dramas and comedies, capturing the complexities and significance of the voting process.
“The Ides of March”, 2011
Director: George Clooney
This political thriller revolves around a press secretary who becomes involved in a political scandal during the presidential primary campaign. The film delves into the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and the impact of public opinion on the democratic process.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Max Minghella, Jennifer Ehle, Gregory Itzin, Michael Mantell, Yuriy Sardarov, Bella Ivory, Maya Sayre, Danny Mooney, John Manfredi, Robert Mervak, Fabio Polanco, Frank Jones Jr., Peter Harpen, Rohn Thomas, David McConnell, Mark Stacey White, Lauren Wainwright, Kris Reilly, Michael Ellison, Hayley Meyers, Leslie McCurdy, Robert Braun, Rachel Maddow, Chris Matthews, Charlie Rose, Deb Dixon, Neal Anthony Rubin, Loretta Higgins, Joseph Dinda, John Repulski, Cherie Bowman, Chyla Anderson, Maxi Anderson, Nelson Beato, Johnny Britt, Alvin Chea, Carmen Carter, Christopher Carter, Carmel Echols, Clydine Jackson, Amy Keys, Lori Perry, Josef Powell;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“Recount”, 2008
Director: Jay Roach
This HBO film dramatizes the events surrounding the 2000 U.S. presidential election and the subsequent recount in Florida. It provides a gripping portrayal of the legal and political battles that ensued, highlighting the importance of every vote in a closely contested election.
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Bob Balaban, Ed Begley Jr., Laura Dern, John Hurt, Denis Leary, Bruce McGill, Tom Wilkinson, Bruce Altman, Jayne Atkinson, Gary Basaraba, Derek Cecil, Eve Gordon, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Mitch Pileggi, Raymond Forchion, Steve DuMouchel, Adam LeFevre, Ethan S. Smith, Stefen Laurantz, Robert Small, Marc Macaulay, Patricia Getty, Brett Rice, Joan Turner Turetzky, Terry Loughlin, Bruce Gray, Michael Bryan French, Judy Clayton, Jack Shearer, Howard Elfman, William Schallert, Bradford DeVine, Annie Cerillo, Walter Farrell, Candice Critchfield, Michael McDermott, Barrett Shuler, Philip Nolen, Rus Blackwell, Christopher Schmidt, Ric Reitz, Mary Bonner Baker, Alex Staggs, Bob Kranz, Antoni Corone, Joe Candelora, Gaston Renaud, Mike Pniewski, Marc Little;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, history;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“Selma”, 2014
Director: Ava DuVernay
This historical drama chronicles the 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, led by Martin Luther King Jr. The film depicts the struggle for African American voting rights and the pivotal role of the Voting Rights Act in shaping American democracy.
Starring: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tom Wilkinson, Tim Roth, Lorraine Toussaint, Common, Giovanni Ribisi, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alessandro Nivola, Wendell Pierce, Dylan Baker, Tessa Thompson, Colman Domingo, Jim France, Trinity Simone, Mikeria Howard, Jordan Rice, Ebony Billups, Nadej K. Bailey, Elijah Oliver, Clay Chappell, Haviland Stillwell, André Holland, Omar J. Dorsey, David M. Morizot, David Dwyer, E. Roger Mitchell, Ledisi, Kent Faulcon, Stormy Merriwether, Niecy Nash, Corey Reynolds, John Lavelle, Stephan James, Trai Byers, LaKeith Stanfield, Henry G. Sanders, Charity Jordan, Stan Houston, Chandler Maness, Nigel Thatch, Stephen Root, Michael Papajohn, Brian Kurlander, Jeremy Strong, Elizabeth Diane Wells, Tara Ochs, David Silverman;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Selma” on the website imdb.com
“Swing Vote”, 2008
Director: Joshua Michael Stern
In this comedy-drama, a single vote becomes the deciding factor in a presidential election, leading to a nationwide campaign to win the vote of an apathetic, beer-loving man. The film humorously explores the impact of individual participation in the electoral process.
Starring: Kevin Costner, Madeline Carroll, Paula Patton, Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper, Nathan Lane, Stanley Tucci, George Lopez, Judge Reinhold, Charles Esten, Richard Petty, Willie Nelson, Mare Winningham, Mark Moses, Nana Visitor, Floyd «Red Crow» Westerman, Shawn Prince, Dale O'Malley, Mary Sue Evans, Gary Farmer, Adam Taylor, Bruce McIntosh, Tom Romero, Tony Blankley, Aaron Brown, Campbell Brown, Tucker Carlson, James Carville, Matt Frei, Mary Hart, Arianna Huffington, Larry King, Anne Kornblut, Bill Maher, Chris Matthews, Lawrence O'Donnell, Forrest Fyre, Ivan Brutsche, Sheila Ivy Traister, Jeremy Jojola, Suzanne Michaels, Cynthia Ruffin, Jason Henning, Les Shapiro, Cynthia Straus, Chance Romero, Charles Moore, Colin Jones, Trista Callander, Richard M. Dereyes;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
More information about the film “Swing Vote” on the website imdb.com
“12 Angry Men”, 1956
Director: Sidney Lumet
While not explicitly about voting in the traditional sense, this classic film centers around a jury's decision-making process in a murder trial. The intense deliberations showcase the significance of each juror's vote and the responsibility that comes with it.
Starring: Henry Fonda, Martin Balsam, Lee J. Cobb, Joseph Sweeney, Ed Begley, George Voskovec, John Fiedler, E.G. Marshall, Jack Klugman, Ed Binns, Jack Warden, Robert Webber, Rudy Bond, Tom Gorman, James Kelly, Billy Nelson, John Savoca, Walter Stocker;
Production year: 1956;
Genre: drama, detective, crime;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 9;
More information about the film “12 Angry Men” on the website imdb.com
These films offer diverse perspectives on voting, from the high-stakes world of political campaigns to the grassroots struggles for equal voting rights, shedding light on the complexities and importance of the democratic process.
In the realm of cinema, films about voting have the power to inspire, enlighten, and challenge our perspectives on democracy and civic engagement. From gripping political dramas to heartwarming tales of ordinary citizens making a difference, these films serve as a reminder of the importance of our voices and the impact they can have on shaping our society. Whether it's exploring the struggles of marginalized communities fighting for their rights or depicting the intricacies of electoral politics, these movies invite us to reflect on the value of our democratic processes and the responsibility we hold as citizens. As we emerge from the darkness of the theater, we are left with a renewed sense of hope and a deeper understanding of the significance of our vote in shaping the future we desire.
