Secret Ballot
A determined election worker and a bewildered soldier cross an empty Iranian landscape to bring democracy to voters who barely know it exists.
Overview
A soldier's routine day turns into an absurd adventure as he navigates elections on a deserted beach.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- deadpan
- gentle
- quiet afternoon
- political film night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a sharply observed, minimalist political comedy whose absurd premise and humanistic encounters reveal the contradictions of civic life.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The mobile electoral worker repeatedly confronts citizens, officials, and circumstances that make the voting process difficult and surreal.
The soldier and election worker traverse a largely empty beach and desert in a jeep, with the stark landscape shaping the film's visual identity.
The young woman travels across the islands to collect votes despite widespread ignorance or indifference toward the election.
The soldier is obliged to escort the determined election worker, and their strained working relationship gradually becomes mutual understanding.
Films like Secret Ballot, and why
The White Balloon
shared minimalist political comedy, rural isolation, and humane cross-cultural encounter
Kandahar
shared Iranian social observation, deadpan absurdity, and a journey through difficult terrain
The Death of Stalin
shared political satire, ordinary people navigating institutional absurdity, and understated warmth
Movie Details
- Director
- Babak Payami
- Release Date
- 2001-09-04
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (17)
Cast
- Nassim Abdi
- Cyrus Abidi
- Youssef Habashi
- Farrokh Shoja
- Gholbahar Janghali
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Secret Ballot about?
- A determined election worker and a bewildered soldier cross an empty Iranian landscape to bring democracy to voters who barely know it exists.
- What is Secret Ballot like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Secret Ballot as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Secret Ballot violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Secret Ballot as mild.
- What did critics think of Secret Ballot?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a sharply observed, minimalist political comedy whose absurd premise and humanistic encounters reveal the contradictions of civic life.
- Which films are like Secret Ballot?
- Films with a similar feel include The White Balloon, Kandahar, and The Death of Stalin.
- How long is Secret Ballot?
- Secret Ballot runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Secret Ballot?
- In United States, Secret Ballot is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.
