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Clip description
Mayor Larry Hand is sweating on the numbers he will need to be re-elected as mayor. After a meeting with another councillor, his chances look even worse.
Curator’s notes
This is a great scene that illustrates the importance of access for an observational film. Larry Hand seems completely comfortable with allowing the filmmakers access to his thinking process as he works out his tactics to get the votes he needs to stay mayor. However, the councillor he rushes off to meet obviously doesn’t want to be filmed so we watch as Larry leaves for his meeting and wait until he returns with the news.
Because of the great access to Hand and the fact that he’s a complex and engaging character, the sequence works well because it is carried by him. We don’t care that we didn’t see the meeting because Larry tells us what happened and – more importantly – how it has affected him emotionally. Once back in the office Connolly keeps the camera rolling and Hand keeps talking until he runs out of steam. We are left thinking that maybe Hand, despite his bravado, may not be a winner this time around.
