Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Journeys With George

Alexandra Pelosi (Producer, Screnwiter, Cinematographer), 2002

George W. Bush, Alexandra Pelosi, Wayne Slater.
Aaron Lubarsky (Editor), Coll Anderson (Sound), Aaron Lubarsky (Producer).

This is a homemade documentary filmed by an NBC journalist (daughter of Nancy Pelosi, incidentally) while she was in the press corps covering George W.’s first campaign for president.

In the close confines of the campaign plane and under the scrutiny of the press corps, Bush comes across as much more intelligent and sharp (even witty) than his public image, which of course makes him even more culpable and mean. It’s easy to see the “side” of him which would be quite frightening and literally pernicious.

His warmth and charm are palpable. One of the journalists complains that they are all failing in their duties because while Gore’s press pack keep reporting objectively on Gore’s faults and failures, Bush’s press team were rendered pathetically uncomplaining because he charmed the pants off them.

Three quarters of the way through the film, when Bush wins the Republican nomination, he changes completely, establishes distance, alters his physical stance, and becomes excruciatingly self aware. The film is a monumental reproach, and a warning, to us all.

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