In 1980, on the heels of the violent overthrow of a democratically elected leader, Liberia, West Africa — a small, theretofore peaceful and prosperous nation with strong diplomatic ties to both Europe and the United States — fell gradually into a three-decades-long spiral of social unrest, political instability and upheaval that would undermine its standing around the world and cast the nation’s future in doubt.
The abuses and corruption of the military regime that controlled the government during the era inspired numerous coup attempts before the close of the decade — conflicts which, though ultimately thwarted, weakened the regime and emboldened other factions to rise up and threaten the political order.
By 1989, two separate rebel insurgencies had launched attacks on the government and thrust the nation into a devastating civil war that would persist, in some manner or form, until 2003, when a bloc of West African nations, exhausted by the regional impact of the continued conflict, intervened to impose a cease fire and send Charles Taylor, the infamous warlord and Liberia’s titular leader, into exile.
In 2006, following three fitful years of relative stability, Liberia held its first democratic election in more than a generation, and installed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as president — the first woman to be so elected in the continent’s history.
By UN estimates, more than 250,000 Liberians were killed and more than one million displaced in the course of the conflict — triggering a refugee crisis that flooded neighboring countries, and nations around the world, with individuals and families displaced by the war. Among those seeking asylum abroad was a rootless, teenaged girl named MacDella Cooper.
Granted clearance to come to the US in 1993, where she was reunited with her mother and sisters after more than three years apart, MacDella Cooper was able to overcome the traumas of her early life and thrive — earning a full academic scholarship to college, and building a successful (sometimes controversial) career as a fashion model and event planner in New York City.
Driven by a desire to help those left behind in her native country, Ms. Cooper created the MacDella Cooper Foundation: a non-profit dedicated to the protection and empowerment of Liberian women and children displaced in the aftermath of the war. However, despite the success of her foundation, Ms. Cooper is inspired to do more — much more.
This year, as the Sirleaf administration nears the end of its second term, a pool of eight candidates have emerged to succeed her as president and contend with the issues — widespread illiteracy, deep-rooted traditions of patriarchy and tribalism, endemic mistrust of government, inadequate infrastructure, anemic tax revenues and the residual impact of the Ebola outbreak — that continue to afflict the nation. Among them is MacDella Cooper — who, at age 40, is the youngest presidential candidate in the 170-year history of the republic.
“Madame Candidate,” a feature-length documentary film, will chronicle the final weeks of Ms. Cooper’s campaign. Through interviews; “in-the-field” coverage; and impromptu Q&As with candidate Cooper, regional leaders, public officials and expert commentators from the international community — as well as the outgoing president — the film will seek to capture greater insights into Cooper’s motivations for running, her fears and anxieties with respect to the undertaking (particularly in light of the violence and instability that have historically plagued the office), her vision for the country, and her preparation — personal and professional — for the immense challenges she faces as a candidate, and would continue to face as head of state: key among them being to the extent to which the gender and the complex legacy of sitting president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf bears on Ms. Cooper’s fortunes as a politician.
Furthermore, in witnessing her reception among “everyday” Liberians, as well as members of the nation’s ruling elite; in detailing the views and opinions of supporters and detractors (including her challengers); and in documenting the range of struggles, triumphs, victories and defeats encountered on the campaign trail, the film will document Cooper’s attempt to journey from daughter of Liberia to elected leader of the nation.
This concept summary is excerpted from an original treatment conceived, written and designed by me in 2017. (“Madame Candidate:…” is registered with the WGA West, Inc.)
creative.reconstruction 