Bush films offer prelude to midterm elections

Newmarket Films, which distributed Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” acquired “Death of a President” after its premiere at September’s Toronto International Film Festival. Some cinema chains have rejected the film, but Newmarket plans to debut it in most major U.S. markets.

It’s unusual for a festival acquisition to hit theaters so quickly, though Newmarket head of distribution Richard Abramowitz said the fast turnaround had nothing to do with the Nov. 7 election.

“I can categorically say without hesitation that that wasn’t in anyone’s mind when we sat at the table to evaluate the release schedule,” Abramowitz said.

Abramowitz said Newmarket wanted to capitalize on the buzz the film received in Toronto. Range added that the filmmakers wanted it in theaters as quickly as possible after it aired in early October on British television.

“Shut Up and Sing” follows the Dixie Chicks’ travails in the three years since Maines uttered what she felt was a mild slam against Bush.

“We were proud of her and surprised at the swiftness of the backlash against her, and we understood something had happened that reflected the state of freedom of speech in our country,” director Peck said. “It galvanized us to want to go and make the film.”

One protester in the film suggests Maines should be strapped to a bomb and dropped on Baghdad. Others tote signs depicting Maines with an X over her mouth.

The trio went from darlings to pariahs of country music but responded with defiance and a healthy dose of humor. The documentary has footage of their Entertainment Weekly photo shoot in which their bare bodies are covered with such slogans as “Saddam’s Angels” and “Dixie Sluts.”

The uproar reflects the hard line the Bush administration has taken since Sept. 11, in which dissent is branded unpatriotic, said Kopple, a two-time Academy Award winner for the documentaries “Harlan County, U.S.A.” and “American Dream.”

“I think there has been no president that has disgraced this country more,” Kopple said. “As Americans, it’s difficult to go anywhere without people feeling a tremendous amount of anger. I think his policies are not policies that a good deal of the American people believe in. It just seems like there’s a cowboy mentality, dead or alive, you’re either with us or against us.

“No longer is there a dialogue or discussion. We need more than ever to have people stand up and speak out their opinions.”

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