‘Shadow Work’ documents the political back-story in Ivory Coast preceding the 2006 Presidential Election.
In 2002, civil war divided the country. Rebels dominated the North. The South is controlled by a government-supported militia, ‘The Young Patriots’, led by former student leader Charles Blé Goudé. In awe of Karl Rove, he performs ‘shadow work’ and longs to be the power behind the leaders.
Blé Goudé campaigns for the current president using the media to exploit youth against rebel forces, spearheaded by former university friends Sidiki Konaté and Soro Guillaume (now Prime Minister).
The film captures both strongholds’ political processes and strategies -- ultimately delaying elections -- amid passions, fear, manipulation and violence gripping the country.
