BBC NEWS | State of the Union: The movie is the message (Kerry Sept. Doc)

BBC NEWS | Programmes | State of the Union: The movie is the message: "In the most fiercely contested US election in decades, former Detroit News columnist Betty DeRamus takes a trip to the cinema in her home town to see how important films are in the race to the White House.
One of the most intriguing entrees on America's political menu this year might be a movie - but it has no name yet and only a few people have actually tasted it.

Michael Moore wants President Bush removed from office
No, I'm not talking about Michael Moore's new Bush-bashing documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11.

That, perhaps, is why George Butler and Max Cleland are, like Michael Moore, making a documentary they hope will influence this year's elections.

Cleland is a veteran who lost both legs and an arm in Vietnam and spent six years in the US Senate.

Butler is the documentary filmmaker who produced Pumping Iron and made Schwarzenegger a star. He's also a long-time friend of Democratic presidential candidate, John Kerry.

The two men are making a biography of Kerry who, in public at least, displays about as much personality as a paper towel and has failed to arouse even voters who dislike Bush.

Butler and Cleland are no doubt hoping that Kerry, who spoke out against the war in Vietnam after fighting in it, will be much more of a tall-striding presence on screen than he is in real life.

Fire and flash

Those who have seen previews say it includes a powerful photograph of Kerry crumpling on the lawn after throwing a Vietnam vet's medals onto the Capitol steps.

This $1.3 million, 90-minute Kerry documentary is supposed to be ready for theatrical release in September. That's assuming the filmmakers can find a bold title and a distributor.


That's also assuming there's a paying audience for a political documentary that's not likely to display much of Fahrenheit 9/11's fire and flash.

Will the Bush team shrug off these cinematic assaults and keep relying on traditional television ads, rallies and barbecues?

The Bush administration has been taking the high ground and keeping mostly silent about Mr Moore's film and the Kerry biography."


Betty DeRamus
Detroit News