Rats in the Ranks (1996)

Every September Sydney's Leichhardt Council elects its mayor. Incumbent Larry Hand was popular with the citizenry, but they don't vote for Mayor - the 12 councillors do - and after three years of Larry, some of them are after his job.

Filmmakers Bob Connally and Robin Anderson gained extraordinary access to the councillors during the struggle for the mayoralty. Arms are twisted, favours called in; people are double-crossed, damaging stories leaked to the media and deals are done. But right up to the vote, no one knows if the numbers will stick.

It's a gripping real-life drama with a white knuckle climax, a fascinating portrait of how politics really works.