World Vote Now

Is it possible to organize a worldwide referendum, applying the principle of "one person, one vote" to create a global democracy? Filmmaker Joel Marsden went in search of the answer to this question, visiting people involved in democratic processes in 26 countries. His commentary describes a search for the essence of democracy, with fluently edited imagery accompanied by punchy music and infographics to illustrate the facts he puts forward. Marsden is an observer at the first elections in Congo. He sees how voting proceeds in the remote Indian province of Kashmir. He charges along through China, Japan, and South Korea. In Iran, religion comes before democracy. If there were free elections in Egypt, the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood would win, eliciting the following from one Egyptian: "Yeah, I want democracy. But I would leave." Realistically speaking, Brazilian democracy ends where the asphalt ends. And in Venezuela, Marsden sees President Chavez admit to losing a referendum -- now that's democracy! On his visit to the United Nations, he is surprised to encounter broad enthusiasm for his idea of a worldwide referendum. Marsden decides to hold a mock referendum with a cheap homemade satellite voting machine. Throughout his film, he intercuts portraits of people from various countries to emphasize what democracy is ultimately about: all votes are of equal value.