DEATH OF A PRESIDENT
BIRTH OF SCATHINGLY REAL POLITICAL-SATIRE.
By Vishal Verma
Rating:- * * *1/2
What is it?
Oliver Stone must be wondering and pulling his hair thinking why this didn’t come to his mind!. ‘Death of a President’ produced by Ed Guiney whose political drama ‘The Wind that Shakes the Barley’ won the Palm D’Or at Cannes 2006 and now his latest offering ‘Death of a President’ may well compete for Oscars.
Those holier-than morality cows can shout for its shocking satire, or bad taste. But cannot deny the fact that director Gabriel has the guts to show how the investigation will take place after the assassination of George Bush. A remarkable attempt.
‘Death of a President’ is a ground-breaking drama in the style of a documentary. It absolutely mimics the appearance of a contemporary history documentary, yet set in near future. In reality, it’s a commentary on post 9/11 America.
As a documentary, it combines a compelling narrative with news reports, interviews, press conferences, coverage’s which only add to the realism.
As a drama, it is a high –wire act, sustaining its conceit over the length of a feature which offers an oblique critique of the contemporary political scenario of the ‘Big Brother’.Whats it all about?
The date is October 19, 2007. President George Bush lands at Chicago O’Hare Airport in the afternoon to deliver a speech to local business leaders. A large anti-war demonstration has been arranged in Chicago to mark the president’s visit, and security concerns are heightened as a result.
After the speech, Bush enters the lobby of the hotel and begins to shake hands and converse with public. At that moment a bullet ricochets and moment’s later pandemonium ensues.
President Bush has been hit twice. Later he is declared dead and what follows is a satiritical whodunit chase which involves a series of arrest and a trial based on stupid and baseless fundamentals of the investigating agency which even points to a state sponsored political murder!!.
What to look out for?
Extremely well done, vividly realistic, political satire packed by brilliant performance by unknown actors. Superb editing.
What Not?
The news breaks through TV which kills the impact. The drama could have been more intensified with some interviews echoing different point of views. Public reaction worldwide could have made it much better. The film shouts TV.