Documentary Feature
All Politics is Local
Directed by Chris Eipper, Declan Mortimer Eipper
AFIN 2023 Finalist
- 2023
- 1h 34m
-
Australia - English
Stills
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Credits
Written by
Produced by
Starring
Synopsis
In Ireland, “If you’re hungry enough, you’ll dig up the tar on the road with your teeth to get a vote.” It’s not only the other parties who are a threat to you; it’s your running mate. Indeed, it is the internal rivalry that can be the most “bitter and acrimonious”, as well as the “more entertaining.” Based upon three decades of ethnographic research, "All Politics is Local" is the story of a rural Irish election campaign that becomes as suspenseful as it is surprising; a memorable drama with a vivid cast of characters - leading to an unexpectedly poignant conclusion.
Director's Statement
Our film is an ethnographic documentary, not a journalistic or commercial documentary. It seeks to depict events as they actually occurred so as to illuminate the key dynamics shaping motivations, actions and consequences. It does so by making a participant-observer of the camera and microphone. No scenes are staged, no fake reaction shots are included, all scene sequences are chronological and there is no explanatory voice-over narration. The story has been edited to tell itself -- condensing some 99 hours of footage to fewer than that many minutes. Rather than simplifying the complexities, instead of eliminating the intricacies, it explores them as ethnographers must when we set about trying to depict lives as they have been lived.
What makes this one special
- 7 awards at other festivalsBerlin Indie Film Festival 2023 · Indie Movies Spark Film Festival · International Independent Film Awards and 4 more
- Programmed at 24 other festivalsAcross 10 countries
Also selected at
7 awards, 2 nominations, 11 finalist placings, 4 official selections across 24 other festivals
- WinnerBerlin Indie Film Festival 2023
- WinnerIndie Movies Spark Film Festival
- WinnerInternational Independent Film Awards
- WinnerLA Documentary Film Festival
- WinnerPopcorn Joy
- WinnerPure Magic International Film Festival
- WinnerScreen Power Film Festival
- NomineeIndie Filmmaker Awards
- NomineeSwedish International Film Festival
- FinalistARFF Amsterdam
- FinalistBenelux International Film Festival
- FinalistBLASTOFF
- FinalistBoden International Film Festival
- FinalistDirector's Cut International Film Festival
- FinalistFlickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival
- FinalistLonely Wolf International Film Festival
- FinalistOnyko Film Awards
- FinalistPlanet Cinema
- FinalistStockholm City Film Festival
- FinalistSweden Film Awards
- SelectionBrussels Capital Film Festival
- SelectionAyodhya Film Festival
- SelectionPortugal Indie Film Festival
- SelectionWorldFest-Houston International Film Festival
Recorded by the filmmaker on their entry.
Directors' Biography
Chris Eipper Declan Mortimer Eipper Directors
An anthropologist, novelist and poet, Chris Eipper has, since 1975, conducted extensive ethnographic research in Ireland. “All Politics is Local” is part of a larger study of the interplay between community and national dynamics in Irish society. Declan completed a Bachelor and Master of Film & Television at the Victorian College of the Arts. His short films screened in over 35 international festivals, “I Suppose I Had It Coming” winning the Grand Prix at the L'Etrange Festival. Canal+ purchased the television rights , screening it in 44 countries.
Trailer
Placings
Recognised in this category at AFIN 2023, as announced that season.
- Best Documentary Feature Finalist