Ada for Mayor

Being invited not only to peek behind the curtain but to come in and take a close look at the side of politics all too often hidden from the average person is not something that happens every day. In this gripping and inspiring documentary, director Pau Faus works in these protected and prohibited spaces, thereby allowing viewers to understand the fears, vulnerabilities, and all-round humanity of one of the most inspiring politicians in recent times.

Ada Colau’s decision to participate in this film, even before the outcome of the 2015 election that brought her to power as the mayor of Barcelona, is a testament to her courage and bravery, despite her fears of imposter syndrome and self-doubt. The release of the film (which portrays her humanity and relatability to those being economically and politically oppressed in society) at a moment when she was already an authority figure in Spain and where she was regularly compared to her seemingly unassailable male predecessors demonstrates that politics has no gender or class and anyone, regardless of these statuses, can make their mark not only as activists in society but also as chief decision-makers in government.

In Ada for Mayor, Ada Colau’s journey from housing activist to politician, while being a mother and wife, is documented in an authentic and inspiring manner that privileges her humanity and relies on ours, as audiences, to understand and appreciate the special history she created.

Badewa Ajibade
Filmmaker and programmer