Kid Candidate is an attempted look at small town politics in a Texas town and a fun character study about an unlikely political run. Hayden Pedigo is an experimental musician who made a joke video where he announced his candidacy for Amarillo City Council. With the support of his friends and wife, he decides to actually go through with it.
The film is surprisingly funny. Most political documentaries place more import on being informative or shocking. Any humor is not really “Ha ha” funny”. Kid Candidate has a likeable cast that brings a fun tone. Director Jasmine Stodel makes sure the joy comes through. It is nice to see a political documentary that has a sense of humor.
Kid Candidate also has an interesting subject. Pedigo is young (at 24, it is hard to refer to him as a “kid”), and brings a freshness to Amarillo’s political climate. He runs a no donations campaign that is filled with a spirit that is the idealized America that people like to believe in. The film tries to address politics, but it is the more personal aspects that shine.
Those who are looking for an even look at the machinations of small town politics will be disappointed. Kid Candidate is heavy on rhetoric and light on the explanations. Audiences are informed that Amarillo politics are corrupt, but not really told how. It is a noticeable omission. Still, for sheer entertainment value, it is worth a watch.
Kid Candidate comes to on demand and digital July 2
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