After fighting through death threats and media scrutiny, Director Gabriel Range's faux-documentary Death of a President has been snatched up for U.S. distribution by Newmarket Films for a meager $1 million according to The Hollywood Reporter. The movie reportedly cost $2 million to make, but don't feel bad for Range's bank account. Maple Films shelled out $500,000 for Canadian rights and it's already made $3 million overseas.
Death of a President is a "what if" film. The problem so many people have with it is that the "what if" hits a little to close to home. The movie realistically depicts a fictional October 2007 assassination of sitting President George W. Bush, and then explores its impact on American civil liberties.
Obviously, that's enough to get people up in arms. No matter how hated he is, Bush still has a few hardcore supporters. But I'm not sure I really understand what the fear is here. What, you think the movie will give people ideas? The movie doesn't advocate his murder, it simply presents it as part of a fictional scenario. I suppose Range could have wimped out and slapped some made up name on his President the way most weak-kneed Hollywood movies do, but why should he have to?
What's even stranger to me than the fact that people are throwing such a fit about it, is that Newmarket actually thinks people will want to see it. On paper this sounds like a limited release niche movie at best, but they're reportedly planning a major, wide release for Death of a President. Controversy sells tickets, and Newmarket is obviously hoping there's enough here to interest mainstream audiences.
