USA, 2008, 107 min Director: Sebastian Doggart Cast: George W. Bush, Carol Connors, Sebastian Doggart, Adrian Grenier, Frank Luntz, Jim Norton, Devin Ratray, Peter Ratray, Condoleezza Rice Awards: Most Creative Concept, Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival, 2008 Selection: EXIT POINT
Courting Condi by director Sebastian Doggart presents a unique type of a documentary, the first musical tragicomical documentary ever made. It reminds us of a "mixture" of films as Borat, Fahrenheit9/11 and musical Mamma Mia. The story follows Devin Ratray, a web designer, musician, former actor (know to us as Buzz in Home Alone) and a huge admirer of former USA Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, as he tries to meet the lady whom he worships. While Devin travels around the country, learning about the lady from those who had had the chance to know her, Courting Condi tells the life story of our time's most inspiring, enigmatic and controversial persons. This is the first retrospective of Bush reign, which will inspire audience to laugh, sing and protest about the past eight years of the above mentioned Administration.
According to the director Doggart, the film is not a hagiography of Rice, but a sincere and provocative portrait of a woman who has changed the world, and little is known about her. It is interesting to mention that during making of this film Doggart was inspired by William Randolph Hearst, a character from CitizenKane by Orson Welles, symbol of a man who loses his soul for power, as well as the grotesque portrait of Kate Moss by painter Lucien Freud, which reminds us of the power of human mortality and fragility of beauty.
Sebastian Doggart was born in London. He began his career as a journalist in South America, working first for Lima Times, and then for Buenos Aires Herald. He graduated with success from Social and Political Sciences at King’s College, Cambridge University. He also worked as a theatre director, and after that he has begun his successful career as a television producer and director. He is currently living and working in New York.
USA, 2008, 107 min
