Channel 4 to show Bush assassination documentary

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/08/3 ... index.html

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- British public broadcaster Channel 4 is courting controversy with what it calls a "shockingly real" drama about the fictional assassination of President George W. Bush.

"Death of a President," shot in the form of a documentary examining the assassination, will use a blend of archival footage and computer-generated special effects to portray Bush in October 2007 arriving in Chicago during an anti-war rally.

In the film, Bush is killed by a sniper, and the investigation quickly focuses on a Syrian-born man. It will air in October on Channel 4's More4 digital channel, as well as at the Toronto Film Festival in September.

"It's a pointed political examination of what the war on terror is doing to the American body politic," said More4 boss Peter Dale at a press conference on Thursday.

Promotional materials described the program as "a thought-provoking critique of the contemporary U.S. political landscape."

Dale acknowledged that the program will be controversial, but maintained that it was a sophisticated work meant to spur debate.

"I'm sure there will be people upset by it," he said. "I hope people will see the intention as a good one."

Channel 4, which is publicly owned but funded by advertising, was criticized last week by outgoing ITV Chief Executive Charles Allen for its reliance on reality TV shows and "shock docs."

More4's autumn schedule also includes "The Trial of Tony Blair," a satirical program about the future resignation of the British Prime Minister.


Is the showing of this going to be as controversial as CNN suggest?

 

Some might call it thought provoking and meant to spur debate.
I see it as just leftist wishful thinking and fantasizing, a form of mental masturbation commited to film (or video, as it were)

 

Im not a fan of Bush(none at all) but I dont think Britian has the right to show people killing an American President .Thats gonna make some people unahppy. Who knows what Bush will do maybe start another war they dont have the right to do that and if I can find the idiot who came up with the idea Ill kick them in the ass

 

Why not? It's a work of fiction afterall, personally I think it's more sensationalist ratings grabbing than "thought provoking" and I really doubt I'll be watching it myself.

Which is pretty much inevitable, but there are controversial documentaries and films shown all the time that make one group or another unhappy, that's no reason not to show them.

Again, why not? Freedom of speach and all that... It's not like they're actually doing a fly on the wall type documentary with a real assassin.

I can't help wondering if you'd be as upset if it were about the assassination of any other world leader.

 

Why would they not have the "right"? Where is it written that a judge must decide who can make films about leaders being assassinated? As far as I know, this kind of thing falls under freedom of speech - as long as it does not actually encourage people to kill George Bush, whatever problem could anyone have with a film like this?

Is it true that certain Conservative circles in the US are trying to get this documentary banned, by the way? I read that in the paper this morning, but it seems far-fetched...

 

These people just want attention, publicity and money... I doubt there is any political motive (leftists or not) behind the film itself, someone just thought it would be an attention-drawing idea and, unfortunately, it is...

It wouldnt really be much different it were any other world leader, but it would depend upon who made the doco... If a US company had made the film, I might be a little less dismissive of the show... And if the Brits had made a documentary about John Howard getting assasinated I would feel much much more hostlie...

 

I can recall when the last "serious" film was made about Princess Diana etc. Made in hollywood too. While there was some moaning about American dramatisation and wishful thinking most folk (press, politicains etc.) found it laughable rather than come out with statements saying "they" (America) didn't have the right to do it or to ban it. I figure the only ones with their noses out of joint were the royal family and the Spencers. I suspect, like Bush in this docu-drama, they weren't consulted either.

Perceptions are funny. The new docu drama about Diana's death is getting much more negative press and it's got some damn good Brit actors in it. So, as a pointless one off observation, it would appear that we are more critical of our own (Brit) productions than of American ones, which are treated as less serious/informed.


"puts helmet on and ducks for cover"

 

BUSH STARTED A WAR?...when was this ,i missed it...as to makeing a movie about the shooting of the now sitting president..id have to say thats in very poor taste

 

2003 in Iraq

 

well...ol sadam would still be free to kill and torture his subject had he stopped being so cute with the un
weapons inspectors did he demill them ,send the to syria..hide em in the sand ?...who knows....i wish we could give the wretched ,fly blown place back to sadam...he knew how keep order(and no pesky rules of engagement) tiso,if the police break my door down with a search warrent and guns ,ind i respond by pointing my shotgun at them ....who is the one who started the gunfight?who is going to jail ..me or the cops who busted my door....