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The Vote

Name: The Vote
Director: Josie Rourke, Tony Grech-Smith
Released: 2015
Duration: 87 min

Representation Score

5.9/10

Fair

2015

Director

Josie Rourke, Tony Grech-Smith

Runtime

87 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Vote is a sophisticated historical drama that uses political biography to critique systemic oppression. It disrupts mid-century narrative expectations by centering female agency and examining racial hierarchy rigorously. The film's strength lies in its ability to challenge the apartheid-era state's authority, framing the struggle for justice as a disruption of a corrupt institutional order. However, the narrative remains narrowly focused on the intersections of gender and race within a legislative context, resulting in a lack of representation for LGBTQ+ identities and disability.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Vote have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on the legislative and civil rights struggles of the apartheid era. There are no significant LGBTQ+ characters or non-straight identities central to the plot.

How does The Vote portray gender?

Excellent

The narrative disrupts traditional hierarchies by centering on Helen Suzman. It emphasizes her intellectual resilience and agency within a heavily male-dominated political landscape.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Vote?

Excellent

The film critiques systemic racial hierarchies in apartheid-era South Africa. It provides significant agency to the movement for human rights and deconstructs oppressive social stratification.

How does The Vote represent religion and culture?

Excellent

Using a post-colonial lens, the film frames institutionalized racism as a corrupt system. It highlights the tension between legal frameworks and moral justice when challenging state-sanctioned authority.

Does The Vote include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant evidence regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the narrative.

Present on Screen

Centers female intellectual resilience and agency through Helen Suzman.
Provides a deep, non-tokenistic critique of systemic racial hierarchies and apartheid-era oppression.
Uses a post-colonial lens to challenge state-sanctioned authority and institutional corruption.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant representation or central characters from the LGBTQ+ community.
Provides no visible evidence of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

On 7 May, churches, school halls, and back rooms of community centres will be turned into polling stations, staffed by council workers and volunteers. A church polling station is the backdrop for a real-time play for theatre and TV, called The Vote, staged at the exact moment in which the action is set - the last 90 minutes before polls close.

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