Democracy is messy. We know this. But usually, when we talk about the "sanctity of the vote," we’re picturing adults in suits or long lines at high school gymnasiums. We aren't usually thinking about a third-grade classroom in Wuhan.
Honestly, the Please Vote for Me documentary is one of those films that stays in your brain like a splinter. It was released back in 2007 as part of the "Why Democracy?" series, and even though it’s nearly twenty years old, it feels more relevant today than most of the political commentary on cable news. Director Weijun Chen didn't need a massive budget or a star-studded cast. He just needed three eight-year-olds and a camera.
The premise is deceptively simple. For the first time ever, a class of third graders at Evergreen Primary School is allowed to elect their own class monitor. Before this, the teacher just picked someone. Now, it’s a full-blown campaign.
It starts out cute. It ends up feeling like a psychological thriller.
The Three Tiny Titans of Evergreen Primary
You've got three main players. First, there’s Luo Lei. He’s the incumbent. He’s been the class monitor for years because the teacher liked his "authority." He’s basically a tiny enforcer. If you talk out of turn, Luo Lei is the one who puts you in your place. He’s physically bigger than a lot of the other kids and has this incredibly stoic, almost intimidating presence.
Then you have Cheng Cheng. This kid is a natural-born politician in the most terrifying way. He’s charismatic, he’s manipulative, and he understands optics better than most consultants in D.C. He’s the challenger who realizes early on that if you can’t win on merit, you win on vibes—and maybe a little bit of sabotage.
Finally, there’s Xu Xiaofei. She’s the underdog. She’s quiet, sensitive, and honestly, she’s the one you root for because she seems the most "human" in the traditional sense. But in the world of the Please Vote for Me documentary, being nice is a liability.
It’s brutal.
The film watches as these kids are coached by their parents. That’s where the real story lives. You see the adults whispering tactics into their children's ears. "Tell the class she has no talent," one parent suggests. "Invite them all on a trip," says another. It stops being a school project and starts being a mirror of the adult world.
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Psychological Warfare and the "Bribe"
One of the most famous scenes—and the one that usually sparks the most debate—is the field trip. Luo Lei’s father, who happens to be a high-ranking official in the local police force, arranges for the entire class to take a trip on a light rail train.
It’s a bribe. Pure and simple.
The kids are ecstatic. They’re eating snacks, laughing, and looking at Luo Lei like he’s a god. Cheng Cheng, watching his lead evaporate, doesn't just sit there. He starts a smear campaign. He tells the other kids that Luo Lei is a "dictator" and a "bully." He uses the very word democracy as a weapon to undermine the guy currently in charge.
It’s wild to watch eight-year-olds use words like "propaganda."
The Please Vote for Me documentary works because it doesn't judge. Weijun Chen just lets the camera roll. You see Xu Xiaofei break down in tears during a talent showcase because the boys are heckling her. They aren't heckling her because she’s bad; they’re heckling her because they want to win. It’s a calculated move to destroy her confidence.
It works. She crumbles.
What This Film Teaches Us About Human Nature
People often argue about whether this documentary proves that democracy is "unnatural" or if it proves that the desire for power is just part of the human DNA.
I think it’s both.
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If you look at the scholarship surrounding this film—places like the Journal of Contemporary China have analyzed it at length—the focus is often on the "experiment" of democracy in a society that doesn't have a long history of it. But if you strip away the geography, this could happen in London, New York, or Sydney.
Kids are mirrors.
They see how their parents talk. They see how power is exercised in their daily lives. In the Please Vote for Me documentary, the "democratic" process quickly devolves into:
- Character assassination.
- Material bribery (the "flutes" incident is another classic).
- Emotional manipulation.
- Strategic alliances that are broken within minutes.
Luo Lei eventually wins, but the victory feels hollow. He wins by using the resources his parents provided and by asserting the same dominance he had before the election even started. The status quo was maintained, just with a "vote" to legitimize it.
The Flutes Incident: A Masterclass in Manipulation
There is a moment toward the end where Luo Lei gives out sets of flutes to the class. It’s right before the final vote. He’s literally handing out gifts while the other candidates watch.
Cheng Cheng tries to fight back with a speech. He’s a great orator. He talks about being a "servant of the people." But the kids are holding their new flutes. Who are they going to vote for? The guy with the lofty promises or the guy who gave them a toy?
Most people choose the toy.
Why You Need to Watch It Now
We live in an era of extreme polarization. We talk about "misinformation" and "populism" like they’re new inventions. They aren't. They’re baked into the way we compete for status.
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Watching the Please Vote for Me documentary is uncomfortable. You’ll find yourself yelling at the screen. You’ll feel bad for Xu Xiaofei. You’ll be genuinely impressed by Cheng Cheng’s cunning. You’ll be slightly scared of Luo Lei.
But mostly, you’ll be forced to look at how we raise children. Are we teaching them to be leaders, or are we teaching them to be winners at any cost? The film doesn't give you an answer. It just shows you the cost.
It’s a short film—only about 55 minutes—but it packs more punch than most three-hour epics. If you’re interested in sociology, politics, or just seeing how kids act when the stakes are high, this is essential viewing.
How to Apply These Lessons
If you’re an educator or a parent, there are actual takeaways here that aren't just "politics is bad."
- Transparency Matters: In the film, the lack of rules around "gifts" led to the breakdown of the process. In any system, if the rules aren't clear, the person with the most resources wins every time.
- Emotional Resilience: Seeing Xu Xiaofei get bullied out of the race is a tough lesson. It shows that talent isn't enough; you need a support system to handle the noise.
- Question the "Coach": Most of the toxic behavior in the film came from the parents. When you see a "leader" acting out, look at who is advising them.
The Please Vote for Me documentary isn't just a movie about a Chinese classroom. It’s a movie about us. It’s a study in how easily the "will of the people" can be steered by a well-timed snack or a pointed insult. It’s brilliant, it’s dark, and it’s something you won't forget.
Go find it on a streaming service or check your local library. It's often available on platforms like Kanopy or even YouTube. Watch it with someone else, because you’re going to want to talk about it the second the credits roll.
Stop thinking of democracy as a dry, academic concept. It's a living, breathing, and sometimes terrifying thing that starts way earlier than you think. Evergreen Primary School proved that. The flutes proved that. And those three kids—now adults somewhere out in the world—proved it most of all.
Actionable Next Steps
To truly grasp the impact of the Please Vote for Me documentary, you should follow up by watching The Education of Mohammad Hussein, which explores similar themes of education and ideology in a completely different cultural context. Additionally, look up the director Weijun Chen’s other work, specifically To Live is Better Than to Die, to see how he handles heavy social themes with the same unflinching, observational style. Finally, if you are using this in a classroom setting, create a "mock election" with strict rules against gifts or negative campaigning to see if the outcome changes—it’s a powerful way to demonstrate how structure dictates behavior.