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{{More citations needed|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
|name=Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story
|name=Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story
|image=Boogie Man Promotional Poster.jpg
|image=Boogie Man Promotional Poster.jpg
|director=[[Stefan Forbes]]
|director=[[Stefan Forbes]]
|starring = [[Eric Alterman]]
|starring=[[Eric Alterman]]
|producers=[[Stefan Forbes]], Noland Walker
|producer=Stefan Forbes, Noland Walker, Tia Wou
|distributor=Interpositive Media LLC
|distributor=Interpositive Media LLC
|released=September 26, 2008
|released={{Film date|2008}}
|runtime=86 mins
|runtime=86 mins
|language=English
|language=English
|country=United States}}
|country=United States
}}
⚫
'''''Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story''''' is a 2008 U.S. documentary on the campaign tactics used by [[Lee Atwater]] while working on the [[George H.W. Bush]] [[United States presidential election, 1988|1988 presidential campaign]], and how those tactics have transformed presidential campaigns in the [[United States]].


⚫
'''''Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story''''' is a 2008 U.S. documentary on the controversial campaign tactics used by [[Lee Atwater]], while working on [[George H. W. Bush]]'s [[1988 United States presidential election|1988 presidential election]] campaign, and how those tactics have transformed presidential campaigns in the United States.
⚫
In an independent release from InterPositive Media, the film was a Critic's Pick in both the ''[[New York Times]]'' and ''[[Washington Post]]'', screened at the 2008 [[Democratic National Convention|Democratic]] and [[Republican National Convention]]s, played 40 American cities in the fall of 2008 and was #7 in nationwide per-screen average the weekend of its release. It has been called one of the best [[political documentaries]] ever made.


⚫
In an independent theatrical release from InterPositive Media, the film was a Critic's Pick in both ''The New York Times'' and ''The Washington Post'', screened at the 2008 [[Democratic National Convention|Democratic]] and [[Republican National Convention]]s, played 40 American cities theatrically in the fall of 2008 and was number seven in nationwide per-screen average the weekend of its release.
==Movie name==
The term ''[[bogeyman|Boogie Man]]'' in the documentary's title is a [[triple entendre]] that refers to
*the fear that Atwater evoked in his political enemies ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] strategist [[Mary Matalin]] is shown in the film using the term to describe Atwater's reputation among his [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] opponents).
*the use that Atwater made of [[Willie Horton]] (who was born the same year and lived in the same state as Atwater) to inspire fear of [[Michael Dukakis]] during the [[United States presidential election, 1988|1988 presidential campaign]]
*Atwater's love of [[boogie]] music, especially playing blues guitar.


== Footage ==
==Plot==
{{More plot|date=November 2018}}
Some notable figures are included or interviewed are [[Michael Dukakis]], [[Bob Dole]], [[George W. Bush]], [[George H. W. Bush]], [[Robert Novak]], [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Mary Matalin]], [[Sam Donaldson]], [[Strom Thurmond]], and [[Karl Rove]]. Also in the film are [[Tom Turnipseed]], [[Kitty Dukakis]], [[Ishmael Reed]], [[Howard Fineman]], [[Tucker Eskew]], and [[Ed Rollins]]. <ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/atwater/etc/script.html</ref><ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262863/</ref><ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262863/fullcredits#cast</ref>
Using extensive interviews with colleagues, opponents and friends and archival footage, the film follows the principal's influential career, working with [[Karl Rove]], [[Ronald Reagan]], [[Roger Stone]], [[Paul Manafort]] and others, culminating in the defining Bush 1988 presidential campaign and its aftermath.


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
The film won the national Edward R. Murrow Award, a 2009 [[Polk Award]] for Excellence in Journalism, won the Chris Award at the [[Columbus International Film & Video Festival]], was nominated for the [[WGA Award]] for Best Theatrical Documentary, and director Stefan Forbes received the Emerging Filmmaker Award from the [[International Documentary Association]]. Conservatives have charged the film contains left-wing bias.<ref>http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11316.html
The film won the national Edward R. Murrow Award, a 2009 [[Polk Award]] for Excellence in Journalism, and the Chris Award at the [[Columbus International Film & Video Festival]]. It was nominated for the [[WGA Award]] for Best Theatrical Documentary. Director Stefan Forbes received the Emerging Filmmaker Award from the [[International Documentary Association]].

Atwater Doc Makes Conservatives Groan </ref>
The film received wide acclaim from reviewers. [[Conservatism in the United States|Some conservatives]] have criticized the film for what they say is [[left-wing politics|left-wing]] bias.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11316.html |title=Atwater doc makes conservatives groan |author= Jeffrey Ressner |work=Politico |date=June 24, 2008 |accessdate=2015-03-09}}</ref> However, many conservatives have praised the film for its keen insight into American culture wars, with [[Roger Stone]] calling the film "A balanced portrait of Atwater’s quest for power and celebrity...Lee Atwater was a mastermind and a rogue, a genius and charlatan, a visionary and a liar...''Boogie Man'' captures all of this and is must viewing for anyone who seeks to understand my former partner, Lee Atwater." In ''The Washington Times'', Christian Toto wrote “Intense...compelling...will touch hearts on both sides of the aisle.”

The film has been cited in many political science books, and it often is taught in university political science classes.

''The Washington Post'' called it "one of the best political films ever."


==Other releases==
==Other releases==
The documentary was retitled as ''Dirty Tricks: The Man Who Got the Bushes Elected'' when it was broadcast in the [[United Kingdom]] on [[BBC Four]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dwf4h |title=Dirty Tricks: The Man Who Got the Bushes Elected |accessdate=2008-10-13 |work=Storyville |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=2008-10-06 }}</ref> When broadcast in [[Sweden]] on [[Sveriges Television|SVT]] (the national public service broadcaster), the film was retitled ''Amerikas ondaste man'' ("America's Evilest Man").<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=81516&a=1294539&lid=puff_1299438&lpos=lasMer |title=Amerikas ondaste man |accessdate=2008-11-09 |work=SVT Dokumentär |publisher=[[Sveriges Television|SVT]] |date= }}</ref>
The documentary was retitled as ''Dirty Tricks: The Man Who Got the Bushes Elected'' when it was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Four.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dwf4h |title=Dirty Tricks: The Man Who Got the Bushes Elected |accessdate=2008-10-13 |work=[[Storyville (TV series)|Storyville]] |publisher=BBC |date=2008-10-06 }}</ref>


On November 11, 2008, the [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] series ''[[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|Frontline]]'' broadcast a slightly shortened version of the documentary.
On November 11, 2008, the series ''[[Frontline (American TV program)|Frontline]]'' broadcast a slightly shortened version of the documentary.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
;General
;General
* [http://www.boogiemanfilm.com/ Official web site]
* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb title|1262863|Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story}}
* {{IMDb title|1262863|Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story}}
* [http://film-forward.com/boogieman.html Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story] at Film-Forward.com
* [http://film-forward.com/boogieman.html Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story] at Film-Forward.com
* [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/atwater/ Documentary on Frontline]
* [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/atwater/ Documentary on Frontline]
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/20/opinion/20sat3.html Editorial in New York Times]


;Reviews
;Reviews
* [http://www.observer.com/2008/politics/boogie-man-lives-0 A review of the documentary] by [[Joe Conason]] in [[The New York Observer]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080917042419/http://www.observer.com/2008/politics/boogie-man-lives-0 A review of the documentary] by Joe Conason in ''The New York Observer]''
* [https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2008-11-lee_atwater_is_evil-story.html "Lee Atwater: The dark and dirty side of GOP politics"], review in ''The Baltimore Sun''
* [http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081029/REVIEWS/810309997/1023 A review of the documentary] by [[Roger Ebert]]
* [https://ew.com/article/2008/09/19/boogie-man/ "A Chronicle of How the Culture War Took Over American Politics"], review by Owen Gleiberman in ''Entertainment Weekly''
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/movies/26atwa.html "Layers Of Political Strategy"], review in ''The New York Times''
* [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-26-et-bigpicture26-story.html "Boogie Man Of Politics"], review by Gary Goldstein in ''The Los Angeles Times''
* [https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/boogie-man-the-lee-atwater-story-2008 "The Man Who Loved Pro Wrestling"], review by Roger Ebert


;Interviews with film director Stefan Forbes
;Interviews with film director Stefan Forbes
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94931206 'Boogie Man': The Paradox Of Lee Atwater interview with filmmaker Stefan Forbes, ''[[NPR]]'', September 23, 2008]
* [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94931206 'Boogie Man': The Paradox Of Lee Atwater interview with filmmaker Stefan Forbes, NPR, September 23, 2008]
* [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26901579#26901579 Interview of Stefan Forbes] on MSNBC's [[Morning Joe]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130129090138/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/ Interview of Stefan Forbes] on MSNBC's ''[[Morning Joe]]''
* [http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/tt/tt081029stefan_forbes Interview of Stefan Forbes] by [[Elvis Mitchell]]
* [http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/tt/tt081029stefan_forbes Interview of Stefan Forbes] by Elvis Mitchell
* [http://blip.tv/file/1334489 Interview of Stefan Forbes] by [[Laura Flanders]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081011095204/http://blip.tv/file/1334489 Interview of Stefan Forbes] by Laura Flanders


[[Category:2008 films]]
[[Category:2008 films]]
[[Category:American documentary films]]
[[Category:American documentary films]]
[[Category:Documentary films about American politics]]
[[Category:Documentary films about elections in the United States]]
[[Category:2000s documentary films]]
[[Category:2008 documentary films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:English-language documentary films]]

Latest revision as of 19:23, 19 November 2024

Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story
Directed byStefan Forbes
Produced byStefan Forbes, Noland Walker, Tia Wou
StarringEric Alterman
Distributed byInterpositive Media LLC
Release date
  • 2008 (2008)
Running time
86 mins
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story is a 2008 U.S. documentary on the controversial campaign tactics used by Lee Atwater, while working on George H. W. Bush's 1988 presidential election campaign, and how those tactics have transformed presidential campaigns in the United States.

In an independent theatrical release from InterPositive Media, the film was a Critic's Pick in both The New York Times and The Washington Post, screened at the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions, played 40 American cities theatrically in the fall of 2008 and was number seven in nationwide per-screen average the weekend of its release.

Plot

[edit]

Using extensive interviews with colleagues, opponents and friends and archival footage, the film follows the principal's influential career, working with Karl Rove, Ronald Reagan, Roger Stone, Paul Manafort and others, culminating in the defining Bush 1988 presidential campaign and its aftermath.

Critical reception

[edit]

The film won the national Edward R. Murrow Award, a 2009 Polk Award for Excellence in Journalism, and the Chris Award at the Columbus International Film & Video Festival. It was nominated for the WGA Award for Best Theatrical Documentary. Director Stefan Forbes received the Emerging Filmmaker Award from the International Documentary Association.

The film received wide acclaim from reviewers. Some conservatives have criticized the film for what they say is left-wing bias.[1] However, many conservatives have praised the film for its keen insight into American culture wars, with Roger Stone calling the film "A balanced portrait of Atwater’s quest for power and celebrity...Lee Atwater was a mastermind and a rogue, a genius and charlatan, a visionary and a liar...Boogie Man captures all of this and is must viewing for anyone who seeks to understand my former partner, Lee Atwater." In The Washington Times, Christian Toto wrote “Intense...compelling...will touch hearts on both sides of the aisle.”

The film has been cited in many political science books, and it often is taught in university political science classes.

The Washington Post called it "one of the best political films ever."

Other releases

[edit]

The documentary was retitled as Dirty Tricks: The Man Who Got the Bushes Elected when it was broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Four.[2]

On November 11, 2008, the series Frontline broadcast a slightly shortened version of the documentary.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Jeffrey Ressner (June 24, 2008). "Atwater doc makes conservatives groan". Politico. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
  2. ^ "Dirty Tricks: The Man Who Got the Bushes Elected". Storyville. BBC. 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
[edit]
General
Reviews
Interviews with film director Stefan Forbes
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