rtryb2200
09-06-2006, 01:01 AM
Bush 'assassination' causes uproar in Britain
Documentary-style film depicts the president being slain by a Syrian sniper.
Kevin Sullivan, Washington Post
L
LONDON - Nearly every British newspaper on Friday carried photos of the assassination of President Bush -- or at least the eerily realistic depiction of it from a documentary-style television film that is causing an uproar in Britain.
The film, "Death of a President," has been alternately derided as a tasteless publicity grab and defended as a serious look at a plausible event that could have dramatic ramifications around the world.
"It's a disturbing film," said Peter Dale, head of More4, the television channel that will broadcast the film next month, following its Sept. 10 debut at the Toronto Film Festival.
"It raises questions about the effects of American foreign policy and particularly the war on terror," said Dale, who rejected criticism that the film made an anti-Bush or anti-American statement. "It's a fairly attention-grabbing premise, but behind that is a serious and thought-provoking film."
In the film, Bush is assassinated by a sniper after making a speech in Chicago in October 2007.
The investigation immediately centers on a Syrian-born man and a shocked nation confronts the war on terrorism in the post-Bush era.
Dale said the assassination scene, which comes about 10 minutes into the 90-minute film, is a glimpse rather than "a gratuitously lengthy gazing kind of scene." He said it was "very small in comparison to the blood and death we see daily in the news" from Iraq.
"We know some people are going to be offended," Dale said. "But you always risk offending people when you open people's eyes to the way the world is. Sometimes the truth is a bit unpalatable."
At the White House, spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said of the film: "We are not commenting because it doesn't dignify a response."
'It's about hype'
Some critics in London scoffed at arguments that the film was a serious piece of filmmaking.
Several said More4, which began broadcasting just 10 months ago, was more interested in ratings than in exploring vital matters of public interest.
"It's about hype rather than a serious matter," said Roy Greenslade, a noted British media critic, who said the film "crossed the line" and was "obviously tasteless."
Britons awoke Friday to see their morning newspapers carrying a black-and-white promotional photo, with a sort of Dallas-in-1963 feel, showing Bush dying in a Secret Service agent's arms.
Other agents draw guns, cameras flash and people dive for cover in the photo, which was an actual filmed scene with Bush's head added later to an actor's body by computer.
Greenslade said the photos are so realistic that for a second he thought Bush had been assassinated. He said creating such a realistic image of Bush being killed "could convince crazy people that this might be a good idea."I'm sure they will cloak it by saying there's a serious point to be made," Greenslade said. "But isn't there another way? If it had been a fictional president, wouldn't it have made the same point? It just beggars belief that this is the best way to make a serious point."
'It's absolutely legitimate'
Dale defended the use of Bush's image, rather than a fictional president, because a fictional character "wouldn't have the same kind of resonance."It's absolutely legitimate to deal with contemporary named figures," he said. "I would urge people to see the film and see if they think it is fair."
More4, which was launched in October 2005, has made a name for itself with controversial films, such as last year's "A Very Social Secretary," a satire about former Cabinet Minister David Blunkett's affair with a British magazine editor.
Prime Minister Tony Blair will get a roasting of his own in November, when the channel plans to air the comedy, "The Trial of Tony Blair." Dale said the film was a satire depicting Blair's life after he leaves office, including an arrest on charges of waging an illegal war in Iraq.
Common sentiment in Britain
Rod Liddle, a newspaper and magazine columnist who makes documentaries for Channel 4, the parent of More4, said he thought the Bush film gave voice to a common sentiment in Britain.
"You will never, ever be able to overestimate the degree to which the British people loathe George Bush," Liddle said. "It will be a free round of drinks in every pub for the person who plays the assassin."
Liddle said there was nothing wrong about making a documentary about the assassination of a U.S. president, even if it was difficult for some people to watch.
"I don't find it particularly objectionable, but then I'm not George Bush's family," he said. "It seems to me to be a reasonable premise, even if it is uncomfortable."
Documentary-style film depicts the president being slain by a Syrian sniper.
Kevin Sullivan, Washington Post
L
LONDON - Nearly every British newspaper on Friday carried photos of the assassination of President Bush -- or at least the eerily realistic depiction of it from a documentary-style television film that is causing an uproar in Britain.
The film, "Death of a President," has been alternately derided as a tasteless publicity grab and defended as a serious look at a plausible event that could have dramatic ramifications around the world.
"It's a disturbing film," said Peter Dale, head of More4, the television channel that will broadcast the film next month, following its Sept. 10 debut at the Toronto Film Festival.
"It raises questions about the effects of American foreign policy and particularly the war on terror," said Dale, who rejected criticism that the film made an anti-Bush or anti-American statement. "It's a fairly attention-grabbing premise, but behind that is a serious and thought-provoking film."
In the film, Bush is assassinated by a sniper after making a speech in Chicago in October 2007.
The investigation immediately centers on a Syrian-born man and a shocked nation confronts the war on terrorism in the post-Bush era.
Dale said the assassination scene, which comes about 10 minutes into the 90-minute film, is a glimpse rather than "a gratuitously lengthy gazing kind of scene." He said it was "very small in comparison to the blood and death we see daily in the news" from Iraq.
"We know some people are going to be offended," Dale said. "But you always risk offending people when you open people's eyes to the way the world is. Sometimes the truth is a bit unpalatable."
At the White House, spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said of the film: "We are not commenting because it doesn't dignify a response."
'It's about hype'
Some critics in London scoffed at arguments that the film was a serious piece of filmmaking.
Several said More4, which began broadcasting just 10 months ago, was more interested in ratings than in exploring vital matters of public interest.
"It's about hype rather than a serious matter," said Roy Greenslade, a noted British media critic, who said the film "crossed the line" and was "obviously tasteless."
Britons awoke Friday to see their morning newspapers carrying a black-and-white promotional photo, with a sort of Dallas-in-1963 feel, showing Bush dying in a Secret Service agent's arms.
Other agents draw guns, cameras flash and people dive for cover in the photo, which was an actual filmed scene with Bush's head added later to an actor's body by computer.
Greenslade said the photos are so realistic that for a second he thought Bush had been assassinated. He said creating such a realistic image of Bush being killed "could convince crazy people that this might be a good idea."I'm sure they will cloak it by saying there's a serious point to be made," Greenslade said. "But isn't there another way? If it had been a fictional president, wouldn't it have made the same point? It just beggars belief that this is the best way to make a serious point."
'It's absolutely legitimate'
Dale defended the use of Bush's image, rather than a fictional president, because a fictional character "wouldn't have the same kind of resonance."It's absolutely legitimate to deal with contemporary named figures," he said. "I would urge people to see the film and see if they think it is fair."
More4, which was launched in October 2005, has made a name for itself with controversial films, such as last year's "A Very Social Secretary," a satire about former Cabinet Minister David Blunkett's affair with a British magazine editor.
Prime Minister Tony Blair will get a roasting of his own in November, when the channel plans to air the comedy, "The Trial of Tony Blair." Dale said the film was a satire depicting Blair's life after he leaves office, including an arrest on charges of waging an illegal war in Iraq.
Common sentiment in Britain
Rod Liddle, a newspaper and magazine columnist who makes documentaries for Channel 4, the parent of More4, said he thought the Bush film gave voice to a common sentiment in Britain.
"You will never, ever be able to overestimate the degree to which the British people loathe George Bush," Liddle said. "It will be a free round of drinks in every pub for the person who plays the assassin."
Liddle said there was nothing wrong about making a documentary about the assassination of a U.S. president, even if it was difficult for some people to watch.
"I don't find it particularly objectionable, but then I'm not George Bush's family," he said. "It seems to me to be a reasonable premise, even if it is uncomfortable."