Giving fresh meaning to the phrase “getting out the vote,” a dedicated female election official is escorted by a mostly annoyed male soldier around a remote island off the coast of Iran to solicit votes. Literally chasing down potential voters, the idealistic bureaucrat promotes the democratic process as a needed ritual of change--at one point encouraging several reluctant women to cast ballots without their absent husbands' permission. Billed as a “human comedy,” this sly satire is beautifully shot and boasts a lively dimensional sound mix almost worthy of an action film. Alas, the pacing is more leisurely than a Florida vote recount. Still, for patient viewers clued into the subtle humor, Secret Ballot could be a winner. A strong optional purchase. (T. Rich)
Secret Ballot
Columbia TriStar, 105 min., in Farsi w/English subtitles, G, VHS: $54.99, DVD: $29.95 Volume 18, Issue 2
Secret Ballot
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