DOC NYC 2018 · Feature Documentary

The Candidates

Since 1996, the wonderfully diverse students of a Queens public high school have staged an elaborate mock presidential election. In 2016, the assignment got a lot stranger.

Synopsis ·

Ukrainian-American Daniel hams it up as a cocky Donald Trump. Pakistani-American Misbah, an observant Muslim, runs the campaign of Hillary Clinton. Earthy also-rans throw in for Jill Stein and the rest. As the students reenact the rigors of the most divisive presidential campaign in modern American memory, hard truths about politics get refracted through the kids living it — and against all odds, hope manages to live on.

World premiere: DOC NYC 2018, Metropolis section.

In the press

What they said.

"The film brings audiences both the joys and pains of our political system via high school."

Filmmaker Magazine · DOC NYC 2018 →

"As the students reenact a divisive political campaign, hope lives on."

DOC NYC · 2018 →

"New films from Kopple, Porter, Pozdorovkin set for DOC NYC."

POV Magazine · 2018 →

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