News & Politics - 'Death of a President'

JW77 · 08-31-2006, 08:34 PM

I looked to see if anyone had posted about this already, but I didn't see anything.

From Entertainment Tonight

Quote:

The shocking new movie some say goes too far!

A new film that depicts the fictional assassination of President George W. Bush is creating controversy for this year's Toronto Film Festival.

Just today, the Toronto International Film Festival released new details about the film. Previously referred to as 'D.O.A.P.,' the film's actual title is 'Death of a President.'

The fictional drama, which mixes archival footage with narrative elements, focuses on the assassination of President Bush in the style of a retrospective documentary.

"We're thrilled to be screening the film at Toronto," said the film's writer and director, Gabriel Range. "It's a striking premise which may be seen as highly controversial. But it's a serious film which I hope will open up the debate on where current US foreign and domestic policies are taking us."

In the film, President Bush arrives in Chicago and is confronted by anti-war protesters. As he leaves a venue where he has just made a speech to business leaders, he is shot and killed by a sniper. While the world reacts to the stunning turn of events, a nation-wide manhunt for his killer sweeps through the United States.

Hailed by those who've seen it as breathtakingly original and dangerous, the ninety-minute film is shot in such a way that every inch of the fictional murder of the president appears real, frightening and highly plausible.

So far, reaction from the real-life White House has been stoic. A media representative responded to ET, saying, "The White House is not commenting because it doesn't dignify a response."

'Death of a President' makes its world premiere on September 10th at 8:30 p.m. at the Paramount 3 Theatre in Toronto.

Lain · 08-31-2006, 09:08 PM

I noticed the article from one of the articles I read earlier. Well

better shown in Canada than here I must say. Concerning that it deals with Bush and the world premiere falls on the day before 9/11.

Quote:

So far, reaction from the real-life White House has been stoic. A media representative responded to ET, saying, "The White House is not commenting because it doesn't dignify a response."

Are you sure or are they just frozen...in shock?

Lexis · 09-01-2006, 12:34 AM

Ick. I don't think I'll be catching this film.

goodnightboy · 09-01-2006, 05:04 AM

I don't think anything much should be made of it - the movies, like any form of media, is supposedly free and people can do what they want.

Still, in bad taste. Not going to be watching it.

Moderate Bill · 09-01-2006, 08:24 AM

Hmm...it really depends how they do it. I mean, if people start dancing in the streets, then it's a junky, one-sided, stupid movie. However, as the description seems to make it more of a political-thriller kind of thing, it might be ok. I mean, alot of movies kill the president...I think one Tom Clancy game killed my PM (I'm a canucklehead, you see)!

I'll look around and see what people start saying about the content. While not a Republican fan myself, I'd rather not waste my time on some drivel that tries to antagonize people with different beleifs than little ol' me.

jalapeno_wildchild · 09-01-2006, 09:59 AM

the movie to me sounds in bad taste and they shouldn't have made it in the first place but, there have already been 2 movies made based on the events of 9/11 and the storyline for this film doesn't sound too far-fetched, by that i mean with everything thats happening in our country today an event like that could possibly happen.

Bronson · 09-02-2006, 12:31 PM

Its in bad taste and the date for its realease is sick.

quaist · 09-02-2006, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalapeno_wildchild (View Post)

the movie to me sounds in bad taste and they shouldn't have made it in the first place but, there have already been 2 movies made based on the events of 9/11 and the storyline for this film doesn't sound too far-fetched, by that i mean with everything thats happening in our country today an event like that could possibly happen.

Of course could this happen. I can't understand the whole agitation about the movie, though.

Remember: Freedom of expression!

AlexEvans · 09-03-2006, 11:30 AM

It sounds in quite bad taste.

The movies about 9/11 are supposedly well done, but I don't think I'll see them either.

I watch movies for entertainment. I don't want it too closely related to real life - Air Force One is about as close to reality as it should get. (Air Force One, btw, is a truly awesome movie.) For information and to provoke thought I much prefer books.

I suspect this movie is designed purely to shock, and draw attention. But even if it's a well-done thriller, as appears possible but highly unlikely, I have no interest in seeing a movie that uses a real president and a backdrop of real events.

**sum1** · 09-03-2006, 07:39 PM

Moderate Bill · 09-03-2006, 08:24 PM

I'll accept that it's got shock value, that's for sure. It probably relies on that to attract audiences. However, I can't agree with all these assumptions. Everyone seems to have decided that it's some kind of attack on President Bush, and that it's anti-american propaganda. Has anyone here seen it yet?

...

Anyone? No?

Then how can we judge what the film-maker has said before he's actually said anything? For all we know , it could be a very thoughtful and serious film. Sure, if it shows reactions to the assassination worldwide, there will propably be one or two scenes of people frolicking, sure. Lots of people are slavering, one-sided idiots who'll celebrate the death of a fellow human being, and the movie would be pretty lame if it wasn't slightly realistic.

That being said, there's an equal chance that it IS in fact one sided and unfair. All I'm saying is let's see what they fellow says before lynching him.

Jacob1983 · 09-08-2006, 08:29 AM

I don't really think you have to see this film to be able to judge it. The filmaker clearly has a hatred toward Bush. People have the right to disagree and dislike the president of America but when you go this far and make a movie about his fictional assassination, then there is a problem. I believe in free speech but this is malicious. I wasn't a big supporter of Clinton and I didn't really like him that much but I wouldn't ever have wanted to see a movie where he was assassinated.

quaist · 09-08-2006, 09:46 AM

People who don't want to watch it aren't forced to.

I think there's kind of a contrariety in your post...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacob1983 (View Post)

I believe in free speech...

But free speech means exactly that.

Moderate Bill · 09-08-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacob1983 (View Post)

The filmaker clearly has a hatred toward Bush. People have the right to disagree and dislike the president of America but when you go this far and make a movie about his fictional assassination, then there is a problem. I believe in free speech but this is malicious.

I would still argue say that we can't make that assumption. it could just be a film about how an assassination like that would be taken around the world.

It's a very real possibility that the fella doesn't like George W. bush, but he could just be theorizing. Political leaders get assassinated, unfortunately, and a successful assassination in the west would be quite unsettling for us, since we're not used to things like that.

Anyone ever read Tom Clancy? There are plots to assassinate POTUS every 20 pages, practically! A Tom Clancy Rainbow Six game that came out recently killed off the Canadian PM, and the Mexican president was kidnapped (that might be reverse...I'll have to check). It wasn't expressing a desire for them to be killed/captured, but set a pretext for international intrigue. Remeber, the film is set up like a retrospective documentary.

if it plays in Montreal, I'll go see it and report back. Until then, I'll ask people not to leap to conclusions.

**TheAngel** · 09-08-2006, 05:55 PM

Freedom of Expression and Free Speech still needs limitations when large influence is involved. I can't say that I'm going to kill the president, or that I'm going to kill anyone, and that's basically what this movie does, threatens, indirectly, the president. It's a threat in my eyes...and I am not a Bush supporter, believe me. To me, its an attempt for money by the producers, director, and writers, that's all. It's like a circus sidehow, not in good tates, but some people will go to it.
Even if you don't support Bush you're sick to go see a movie like this. It would be like me going to see a movie about the death of a girl I didn't like at high school. Disgusting.


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