Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Killing Bush: A filmmaker's ugly fantasy
The Ottawa Citizen ^ | September 2, 2006 | David Warren

Posted on 09/02/2006 9:26:09 AM PDT by quidnunc

Gabriel Range is a documentary filmmaker, of whom few had heard until this week. His 2003 television production, The Day Britain Stopped, was a pioneering essay in the “fake documentary”, in which imaginary future events are synthesized in fine detail. He has now achieved fame, even before anyone has seen his new essay in that genre, Death of a President. It will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Sept. 10th, and then show on the British TV channel, More4.

The fame, or more properly, infamy, is for his audacity in making a film about the assassination of a U.S. President who is still alive. It will not be for the content of the film — as Mr Range must know perfectly well. The face of the actual George W. Bush is digitally “pasted” over that of an actor, to create the illusion of reality. This method can only reinforce the sensationalism; it can only distract from any serious narrative or philosophical premise of the film. Thus, we cannot doubt that the filmmaker’s purpose is more political than artistic: that he wants a political sensation.

Is the film a wish-fulfilment? One can go too far in psychologizing the behaviour of an artist, but it becomes irresistible in an environment where, as in Britain today, rhetorical suggestions that Bush should be assassinated have become “mainstream” and commonplace. Mr Range must at least have anticipated the criticism that his film could be a goad to an actual assassin. It starkly provides that crucial element of pre-enactment, that is the textbook conditioner of the diseased criminal mind. And in so doing, it becomes more effective than any conventional death threat.

To put this another way, the film presents, and is intended to present, a threat to President Bush’s life, in a way that gets around the law.

“Xenophobia, the hidden costs of war, and the nature of civil liberties in a hyper-media age, all come under the microscope.” I’ve extracted this line from the publicity puffery that accompanies the film. It will contain a “detective mystery plot”, about the identity of the assassin, in which a “Syrian-born” man is falsely accused. We can safely infer from this much, that the filmmaker’s political views are the glib, smug, clichéd, and indeed, asinine views we are used to hearing from the institutional Left, about the nature of “Amerika”. Needless to say, this plotline is already being flattered, by the same, as a “thought-provoking critique”.

-snip-


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: bush; bushderangement; bushhaters; davidwarren; disgust; doap; looneyleft; offthedeepend; snufffantasies; unhinged
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-50 next last
To: quidnunc

There were people who loathed JFK too. Would Rod Liddle have bought a round for Lee Harvey Oswald? These people are so sick.


21 posted on 09/02/2006 10:12:53 AM PDT by veronica (NEW LITERARY AND ARTS JOURNAL offers free advertising for writers, bloggers, artists. FRmail me...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Yorlik803
the left seem to have forgotten the difference between fiction and fact. Documentaries relate fact, 2007 is not here yet nor has President Bush been assonated, sounds like fiction to me. this will probably get the Oscar for best documentary this year. Mr. Moore will have to work harder next year.
22 posted on 09/02/2006 10:36:17 AM PDT by mtnjimmi (fiction, reality there's a difference?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Darkwolf377

Wow. Bttt.


23 posted on 09/02/2006 10:41:06 AM PDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: hosepipe
>>Killing Bush would make Dick Cheney the NEW PRESIDENT?...
>>A liberal or RINOs worse nightmare..

Which would just about guarantee an incumbent President running for reelection, (and since there's less than half a term left) with two full terms ahead of him.
(To liberals:) Be afraid, be very afraid!
24 posted on 09/02/2006 10:46:56 AM PDT by DelphiUser ("You can lead a man to knowledge, but you can't make him think")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: DelphiUser
[ (To liberals:) Be afraid, be very afraid! ]

LoL.. So true.. The Moonbats have met the enemy and enemy IS THEM...

25 posted on 09/02/2006 11:04:09 AM PDT by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: quidnunc


I'm betting this is one of the guys who wouldn't show the Mohammed cartoons and protested Falwell's call to assassinate Hugo Chavez isn't he?


26 posted on 09/02/2006 11:05:23 AM PDT by Tzimisce (How Would Mohammed Vote? Hillary for President! www.dndorks.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hosepipe

Can you see presidential debates between Dick Dheney and hillary? Oh, that's a double size bag of popcorn event!

While I like Pres Bush very much, I don't know if this would be "Bad" for the country. Especially if it heats up the "war on terror".


27 posted on 09/02/2006 11:09:44 AM PDT by DelphiUser ("You can lead a man to knowledge, but you can't make him think")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: quidnunc

They should do a "DocuDrama" about an abortion sniper - or would that be "insensitive"?


28 posted on 09/02/2006 11:13:14 AM PDT by Tzimisce (How Would Mohammed Vote? Hillary for President! www.dndorks.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DelphiUser
DelphiUser wrote: While I like Pres Bush very much, I don't know if this would be "Bad" for the country. Especially if it heats up the "war on terror".

Let me get this straight, are you saying that Bush's assassination wouldn't be bad for the United States?

29 posted on 09/02/2006 11:17:34 AM PDT by quidnunc (Omnis Gaul delenda est)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: quidnunc

This Englishman thinks he is analyzing the current status of things in America!! How would he know?? Guess he reads the New York Times. What a pathetic bunch these Europeans are.


30 posted on 09/02/2006 11:34:16 AM PDT by fschmieg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: quidnunc

This Englishman thinks he is analyzing the current status of things in America!! How would he know?? Guess he reads the New York Times. What a pathetic bunch these Europeans are.


31 posted on 09/02/2006 11:39:01 AM PDT by fschmieg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: quidnunc
[ Let me get this straight, are you saying that Bush's assassination wouldn't be bad for the United States? ]

Not a question to me but the answer IS...
Answer: NO it wouldn't be bad for the U.S., his family maybe, but the U.S.. NO..

He is only one man(Bush)..

1) Cheney would be President..
2) The democrats glee would be exposed as terrorist dupes..
3) And the face of the 2006 and 2008 elections would change immeasurably..

** Bush's assassination would throw cold water into the face of Americans that think, "WE ARE NOT AT WAR".. Kind of a hard way to make that happen but it would/could work.. Some democrats are insenitive but not all are.. Not only that but it would galvanize the republicans.. into a voting block..

32 posted on 09/02/2006 11:39:24 AM PDT by hosepipe (CAUTION: This propaganda is laced with hyperbole.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: quidnunc
I'm saying that Having Dick Cheney running as an incumbent in 08, with two eligible terms ahead of him, especially if the Dem's put up the beast, that would be good. I am in no way shape or form advocating, or approving of this movie, or of assassination. I like president Bush, and I fervently hope this does not happen, but I think the Dems will regret it if it does.
33 posted on 09/02/2006 11:39:38 AM PDT by DelphiUser ("You can lead a man to knowledge, but you can't make him think")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: dirtboy
you cannot use reason to get someone out of a position they did not use reason to reach in the first place.

I nominate this for "Quote of the Day".

34 posted on 09/02/2006 11:42:45 AM PDT by Inspectorette
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: hosepipe
"...Death of a President. It will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Sept. 10th.

So this will be reported in the MSM Sept 11.

Tells me all I need to know.

Dumb bastids

35 posted on 09/02/2006 11:44:21 AM PDT by Covenantor (Dirka Dirka Muhamed Jihad.....Ghurka Ghurka Muhamed....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: DelphiUser
While I like Pres Bush very much, I don't know if this would be "Bad" for the country. Especially if it heats up the "war on terror".

THAT is some really weird thinking.

36 posted on 09/02/2006 12:04:57 PM PDT by daybreakcoming
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: hosepipe
Bush's assassination would throw cold water into the face of Americans that think, "WE ARE NOT AT WAR"..

No, I don't think so. They hate him so much as a person - they would think 'he deserved it' and would be apathetic to the short time remaining of a Pres Cheney's watch. Yes, even the moderate demos. Don't think the dnc doesn't already have their talking points prepared in the hope that this does happen.

dam*, I don't even like to talk about this - so no response is fine.

37 posted on 09/02/2006 12:11:41 PM PDT by daybreakcoming
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: daybreakcoming

>>THAT is some really weird thinking.

Look at it this way: If some islamofacist assassinated the president, would we (as a country) be taking the WOT more seriously? (I think so) would the Dem's (particularly Hillary) have a snowballs chance against an incumbent Dick Cheney? (No) Would this save lives in the Future? (I believe it would)

I as a patriot would give my life to further the interests of my country. I believe President George W Bush feels the same way. (Not that giving you life is the goal, just if necessary) Would this "Clarity" be good for the country? I believe it would, so I have to say this would not be all bad, even though it would start with a terrible act, one that is difficult to even contemplate, but the liberals have pushed me to contemplate it and it really does not help them at all.

Think about this, if they bad mouth bush after an assassination, what will happen to them? (Answer, they lose the support of the older generation for whom the dead are sacred, think Wellstone memorial, but with more teeth init)


38 posted on 09/02/2006 12:19:33 PM PDT by DelphiUser ("You can lead a man to knowledge, but you can't make him think")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Yorlik803

Can you imagine a movie based on the killing of the Clintons . Now you know the Mean Streak Media would be all over the producers crying Fowl . . .


39 posted on 09/02/2006 12:25:27 PM PDT by lionheart 247365 (( I.S.L.A.M. stands for - Islams Spiritual Leaders Advocate Murder .. .. .. ))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: theFIRMbss; Lazamataz
Well, let's be careful.
It's easy to start sounding
like we're all Muslims



In my view we're morally superior to Muslims. A double standard is in order and completely justified. And I think the law too often protects those that we'd otherwise hang. We should rediscover the lost art of drawing the line.

Our founders would be surprised. A Constitution designed to provide a government respecting common values is now invoked to avoid all values.

Sorry for the rant. It really had nothing to do with your comment.
40 posted on 09/02/2006 1:23:54 PM PDT by Jaysun (Idiot Muslims. They're just dying to have sex orgies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-50 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson