DEATH OF A PRESIDENT
*** out of *****

Reviewed by Mike Cavanaugh

Screening in the 2007 New Zealand International Film Festival
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Genres
Crime
Mystery
Politics

2006
Directed by
Gabriel Range
Written by
Gabriel Range
Simon Finch
Cast
Hend Ayoub ... Zahra Abi Zikri
Brian Boland ... Larry Stafford
Becky Ann Baker ... Eleanor Drake
Robert Mangiardi ... Greg Turner
Jay Patterson ... Sam McCarthy
Jay Whittaker ... Frank Molini
Michael Reilly Burke ... Robert H. Maguire
James Urbaniak ... Dr. James Pearn
M. Neko Parham ... Casey Claybon
Seena Jon ... Samir Masri
Christian Stolte ... John Rucinski
Chavez Ravine ... Marianne Claybon
Patricia Buckley ... Dawn Newton

Death of a President confronts us with a fictional recount of George W Bush's assassination later this year. It is weaved together with fictional interviews recapping the preceding events, initial reaction and consequential fallout. The result is a scenario that is truly scary: zealous security policies, militant response, diminished civil rights and a justice system that it truly flawed. This ultimately creates a chilling commentary on the state of politics, justice, and foreign policy currently in the United States.

It does take a little time to get to the assassination, and that's the flaw of Death of a President: while establishing a reputable background for fictional interviewees, and slowly drawing out the exposition, the film loses its initial momentum. This could be what puts most people off the film. I found it engrossing enough, but my interest in foreign policy and civil rights is an outspoken one amongst friends.

All up, Death of a President is a chilling blurring of reality. Although it is fiction, it seems all too plausible. This is a well executed piece that is sure to spark many a conversation.

This film's Wellington run has finished. Please refer to the Film Fest homepage for more information on screenings in other parts of the country

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