You are here:

Hacking Democracy

Name: Hacking Democracy
Director: Russell Michaels, Simon Ardizzone
Released: 2006
Duration: 82 min

Representation Score

2.5/10

Limited

2006

Director

Russell Michaels, Simon Ardizzone

Runtime

82 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Hacking Democracy is a specialized investigative documentary that prioritizes systemic critique over demographic representation. Its primary focus is the technical and political forensics of election security, which naturally limits the breadth of its character studies. The film excels in its cultural critique, challenging the integrity of Western institutions and the role of private corporations in public infrastructure. However, this narrow investigative lens results in low scores for traditional identity-based categories. Ultimately, the work functions as a study of institutional transparency rather than a diverse social tapestry, making it a niche technical exposé rather than a broad social portrait.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Hacking Democracy have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses solely on electoral technology and cybersecurity. It does not include any characters or stories centered around sexual orientation or gender identity.

How does Hacking Democracy portray gender?

Limited

The film's narrative is driven by technical experts and political analysts. The subject matter leans towards traditionally male-dominated professional spheres such as cybersecurity and election administration.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Hacking Democracy?

Fair

Interviewees represent a typical professional demographic of the time. The film lacks a proactive effort to highlight perspectives reflecting multiple aspects of identity, focusing instead on software and hardware mechanics.

How does Hacking Democracy represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film offers a sharp critique of capitalist structures and the privatization of democratic processes. It frames the tension between corporate interests and public accountability as a systemic failure.

Does Hacking Democracy include disability representation?

Minimal

The scope of the film is confined to political technology and election security. It does not address disability, neurodivergence, or physical health.

Present on Screen

Provides a powerful critique of the intersection between private capital and democratic governance.
Effectively challenges the perceived stability of Western electoral institutions through systemic scrutiny.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation across most traditional demographic categories like race, gender, and LGBTQ+ identities.
The narrative focus remains heavily centered on male-dominated professional spheres of technology and politics.

Official Synopsis

Documentary film investigating allegations of election fraud during the 2004 U.S. presidential election. Electronic voting machines count approximately 90% of America's votes in county, state and federal elections. The technology is also increasingly being used across the world, including in Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and Latin America. The film uncovers incendiary evidence from the trash cans of Texas to the ballot boxes of Ohio, exposing secrecy, votes in the trash, hackable software and election officials rigging the presidential recount.Ultimately proving our votes can be stolen without a trace "Hacking Democracy" culminates in the famous 'Hursti Hack'; a duel between the Diebold voting machines and a computer hacker from Finland - with America's democracy at stake.

How are these scores produced? →