Reply #376: From Newmarket Films regarding "Death of a President"...

[Radio_Lady]

Posted October 22, 2006 at www.newmarketfilms.com

DEATH OF A PRESIDENT opens this Friday (10/27/06)

Will the most controversial film of 2006 also open public debate?

Director Gabriel Range touched off a firestorm of controversy at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival with his daring political thriller, referred to in festival press as D.O.A.P. Before the film had even been projected, critics and pundits from both ends of the political spectrum were weighing in on the merits of Range's work. "It's ironic," said Newmarket partner Chris Ball, "that a film condemning the rush to judgement has often been subjected to that very thing." Though initial reactions to the film's title and Range's concept of using the sitting President as the titular victim were frequently negative - and occasionally hostile - recent press screenings are elliciting very different reviews. "There's no reason to be threatened by this film," writes Jim Emerson of RogerEbert.com, "any more than there was to be by "United 93" or "World Trade Center." It's responsible and observant about the world we live in... Most of all (the movie) is electrifying drama and compellingly realistic." According to Newmarket's Creative Director, John Crye, this reaction is typical of recent reviews. "They go in decrying the cinematic effigy-burning that they think the film will be, and come out praising the damn fine political-thriller that it actually is. Hopefully, some of them will come away having learned a personal lesson in rushing to judge." I suppose we'll find out on Friday.