Our Brand Is Crisis (2005)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Rachel Boynton

Writer:

Rachel Boynton (written by)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

A documentary on American political campaign marketing tactics and their consequences. |

Plot Keywords:

Political | Marketing | Campaign | Advertising | Politics

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Mauricio Balcazar	...	Himself (Goni's Press Advisor)
James Carville	...	Himself (GCS Strategist)
Tad Devine	...	Himself (GCS Advertising Consultant)
Stan Greenberg	...	Himself (GCS Pollster)
Carlos Mesa	...	Himself (VP Candidate)
Carlos D. Mesa Gisbert	...	Himself - Bolivia's Vice Presidential Candidate
Carlos Morales	...	Himself - Campaign Manager
Evo Morales	...	Himself (Opposing Candidate)
Henry Oporto	...	Himself
Manuel Rocha	...	Himself - US Ambassadir to Bolivia (archive footage)
Jeremy Rosner	...	Himself - GCS Pollster and Chief Strategist
Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada	...	Himself (Bolivia's Presidential Candidate)
Robert Shrum	...	Himself - GCS partner
Tal Silberstein	...	Himself (GCS Management Consultant)
Manfred Reyes Villa	...	Himself (Opposing Candidate)
Amy Webber	...	Herself (GCS Associate)

Runtime:

87 min | USA:85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:Unrated

Company:

Boynton Films Production

Movie Connections:

Featured in 2006 Independent Spirit Awards (2006) (TV)

Political campaign in southern American country using U.S. tactics

I'm sometimes asked why I enjoy foreign films, documentaries and independent cinema. The answer is simple, I love learning most things international, and I'm always in search of a different perspective. And you should already know, I have little use for a Hollywood blockbuster.

The documentary "Our Brand of Crisis" is a wonderful example of what gets me excited. It archives the behind-the-scenes strategy of a presidential campaign in the Latin American country of Bolivia. The American consulting firm Greenberg, Carville and Strum (GCS) has been hired to assist a former Bolivian president ('93-'97) in winning the 2003 election. The U.S. raised and educated candidate, Gonzales "Goni" Sanchez de Lozada demonstrates little concern for the people. At first Goni is seen by most voters as being cold and arrogant and one who takes no responsibility for the mistakes made in his earlier term in office. GCS coaches him, monitors the polls, produces negative ads against the front-runner and uses test-groups in their quest to win the election. The polls slowly begin to turn thanks to the skills of GSC. At one point, even the U.S. Ambassador throws a road block in Goni' campaign.

This gritty film swings the door wide open on the honest feelings of people during political strife, even as they hold onto hope for a better tomorrow. As GCS frequently conducts focus groups with average citizens to obtain their feelings about the candidate and the issues, you find yourself becoming part of the election. The documentary goes a step further by returning to Bolivia at different times after the election. The results clearly define the hazards of exporting American-style campaign strategy abroad.

If you enjoyed the Oscar nominated documentary, The War Room, a behind-the-scenes look at a 1993 U.S. political campaign, this film should not be missed.