VN02560170
KING FOR A DAY
A humorous but pointed look at globalization as Bangladesh tries to impress the President of the world's only superpower.

For the inhabitants of the small village of Joypura in Bangladesh, the visit of the President of the United States to their village was a matter of great pride and honor. After all, he was the 'King of America' and the most powerful man on earth. The chaos, the upheaval, the widening of roads, the removal of unsightly shops, not to mention the invasion of hundreds of troops and officials was a small price to pay for having such an honored guest. But Joypura was only a small part of President Clinton's busy 12-hour visit to Bangladesh in March 2000.

Arrangements started a month prior to his visit in the capital of Dhaka. Marines, secret service agents and U.S. security personnel arrived in the city from the beginning of March. Security equipment, bulletproof cars, scent dogs, packaged food and mineral water arrived daily at the airport. The capital's only five-star hotel was all but taken over by the President's men. The airport security and city's traffic system were scrutinized by U.S. security personnel. Roads were repaired, trees painted, road markings re-painted. Posters, portraits, American flags decorated the city. But, not everyone was ready to celebrate the arrival of the first U.S. presidential visit.

KING FOR A DAY is the diary of a cynical Bangladeshi journalist as he follows the arrangements for the arrival of President Bill Clinton in March 2000, the growing tension, the demonstrations, the disappointments, whilst he tries to find out what the common man really feels about President Clinton's visit.

KING FOR A DAY is a satire on globalization and its implications for the citizens of developing nations. When the president of the world's wealthiest nation decides to spend 12 hours in the capital of one of the world's poorest nations, the build up to the visit is perhaps far more important than the day itself.

Awards
~ Best Short Film, DerHumALC International Human Rights Film & Video Festival, Buenos Aires
~ Award of Excellence, Visual Anthropology Film/Video Festival, American Anthropological Association
DVD (Color)
Grades 9-12, College, Adult
34 minutes
2001
USD 195.00
 
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