The Island President

The Island President tells the story of President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, a man confronting a problem greater than any other world leader has ever faced: the literal survival of his country and everyone in it. After bringing democracy to the Maldives after thirty years of despotic rule, Nasheed is now faced with an even greater challenge: as one of the most low-lying countries in the world, a rise of three feet in sea level would submerge the 1200 islands of the Maldives enough to make them uninhabitable. The Island President captures Nasheed’s first year of office, culminating in his trip to the Copenhagen Climate Summit in 2009. Nasheed is unusually candid about revealing his strategies – leveraging the Maldives’ underdog position as a tiny country, harnessing the power of media, and overcoming deadlocks through an appeal to unity with other developing nations. When hope fades for a written accord to be signed, Nasheed makes a stirring speech which salvages an agreement. Despite the modest size of his country, Mohamed Nasheed has become one of the leading international voices for urgent action on climate change.
Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Cinematography: Jon Shenk
Editing: Pedro Kos
Sound: Lincoln Else
Music: Radiohead, Stars of the Lid
Production: AfterImage Public Media, USA, T.+1 415575 9999 actualfilms@actualfilms.net theislandpresident.com
Producers: Richard Berge, Bonni Cohen
Co-production: ITVS, USA
Format: HDCAM Color
Production Country: USA
Production Year: 2011
Duration: 101
Contact: Films Transit International, Canada Jan Rofekamp T. +1 514 844 3358 F. +1 514 844 7298 johnnadai@filmstransit.com www.filmstransit.com
Cadillac People’s Choice Documentary Award - Toronto International Film Festival 2011, Canada

John Shenk

Filmography

2003 The Lost Boys of Sudan
2011 The Island President