By Kyle Wilson, '07 | Entertainment  Editor

In 2004, Michael Moore released Fahrenheit 911,
a scathing documentary about President
George W. Bush.
Now comes another political cinema release, “Death of a President,” from British director Gabriel Range.
It is a fictional documentary that imagines a world where, in October of 2007, President Bush is assassinated.
This very premise puts it in a very awkward position: is it art,
or is it a
cinematic fantasy
snuff film?

November.

While known for turkey and football most of the time, every few years it is known for another reason. The political process comes to a head in November, where leaders are chosen and decisions are made.
This, then, is the most opportune time to release a movie that has political leanings, in hopes of either making a point or making a buck.

In 2004, Michael Moore released Fahrenheit 911, a scathing documentary about President George W. Bush. Now comes another political cinema release, “Death of a President,” from British director Gabriel Range. It is a fictional documentary that imagines a world where, in October of 2007, President Bush is assassinated.
This very premise puts it in a very awkward position: is it art, or is it a cinematic fantasy snuff film?

Now before you get hot under the collar, Range himself has said that the movie is not out to demonize Bush. In fact, quite the contrary.
In an interview with comingsoon.net, the British director says, "The assassination of President Bush would be a terrible thing with terrible consequences.” So it seems that the film itself does not advocate violence against our opinionated president. Still, Washington seems to be in a bit of a row over the film.

While busy with elections and political planning, some of Washington’s heavy hitters have made some comments about the film. The Republican Party of Texas has refused to support a film that seems to support an assassination attempt on a president, and even Democrat bigwig Hillary Clinton has condemned the movie, calling it “despicable,” and adding “It makes me sick.”

With such heavy words from the political arena--and coming from both sides, no less--you would think that the general populace would be outraged, right? Well, not really. After a quick survey around campus, most students here couldn’t seem to care less.

One student, Oleg Soyko, said, “It’s a movie; it can do whatever it wants.”

“It would be interesting to watch. I’m not too fond of the president,” Sara Hacker said.

Maeve Semo said, “I think it would be funny to watch; not that I want the president dead.”

“I think the world is ready for something like that,” Ben Drew said.

However, some are more apprehensive. Carl Pfranger says, “They shouldn’t be stopped. Without seeing it, the key point would be if they detail how to do it, the amount of detail about the assassination.”
Now, in case you actually want to see the movie, good luck in trying. Regal Entertainment, one of the largest cinema chains in America, will not have the film playing on any of its cinema screens, nor will most other major theaters.

A quick check online shows no showings in the Central New York yet. Still, this might be a movie to pick up on DVD, just to see what all the fuss is about.