Years after the assassination of President George W. Bush in Chicago, an investigative documentary examines that as-yet-unsolved crime....

Using real life archive footage of George W. Bush, DEATH OF A PRESIDENT is a controversial conspiracy thriller with a unique premise, told in the style of a retrospective documentary, which offers a critique of the contemporary US political landscape.


Death of a President
By Mal Simons, Blockbuster.co.uk

A remarkable mockumentary, this is a film set in the future, telling of the assassination of President George W Bush and America’s reaction to the assassination. This film caused a lot of controversy when it was first announced – prompting a statement from the White House closely followed by a refusal by several US cinema chains to even show the movie. This film carries a powerful message however and is one of the most realistic and hard hitting mockumentaries that we’ve ever seen.

The film is told as a documentary made in 2010, looking back at the assassination that happened in 2008. The film talks us through the run up to the assassination, Bush’s activities that day, talking to witnesses that were with the President, leading law enforcement officials and people who were taking part in regular anti-war demonstrations at the time. Using Forrest Gump technology and clever camera tricks, the film inserts key actors in around Bush to establish the illusion of true events.

While the film’s plot was sensationalised, the actual death of the President is handled in as non-sensational, tasteful way as possible. While this does cover the death of a real, alive person, it is not so much his death that is important, but the reaction by the American Government – this is about the erosion of the freedoms that Americans take for granted and the inward looking and divisive nature of the current administration. This is a hardhitting and emotional film, one that is sure to make you think about the future.

We’ve seen the real documentaries such as Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 or Control Room. This mockumentary whacks just as much of a punch. Add to your list now.

This title has been rated 97 times.