An intriguing piece that seems disjointed if compared to the other bonus material from "The Manchurian Candidate", this one presents personalities like Sidney Lumet, Anne Deavere Smith, Fab 5 Freddy, Reno and others discussing the political system of the early 2000's. All the mentioned names appear in the film doing exactly that, but it's some bits and pieces; here, we have a slightly extended version of their performances (to me, it feels like a screen test where director Jonathan Demme tries to make some experiments in what he'd like to see in the final film).
It's a good project but it's strange to suggest it to viewers because each particular person has their own political views and a short film like that it's quite dangerous in which it can be viewed as one-sided even though the six guests (divided in three groups of two) debate and politely conflict with each other - I didn't see as an opposition to the others (except for the Asian comedian saying he doesn't vote, which shocked Roy Blount Jr.), they were all on the same page for most of the time, and we don't even know if what they say reflects their own political agenda or it's performances Demme wanted for his movie. Others will find it too liberal and quite up against Bush Jr. government at the time. But the guests surely reflect the times they were facing (Fab 5 Freddy talks about the gangsterism in the political system while Lumet compares the past with the then present 2004). In terms of debate, it's quite manageable, the guests don't interrupt each other and you can listen to all points of view (watch and learn, Fox News). But Demme isn't combative or too historical with his films like Oliver Stone, so it's rather strange that he'd wanted to proof a point with those views while trying to include them as a narrative force in "The Mancurian Candidate". And the director also provides an audio commentary to this short that doesn't elucidate anything: he just presents to us the personalities he brought in for the piece and that's it. Two minutes and he's gone. Of all the extra pieces from the DVD, this one has the lesser effect on viewers despite its positive qualities. 6/10
It's a good project but it's strange to suggest it to viewers because each particular person has their own political views and a short film like that it's quite dangerous in which it can be viewed as one-sided even though the six guests (divided in three groups of two) debate and politely conflict with each other - I didn't see as an opposition to the others (except for the Asian comedian saying he doesn't vote, which shocked Roy Blount Jr.), they were all on the same page for most of the time, and we don't even know if what they say reflects their own political agenda or it's performances Demme wanted for his movie. Others will find it too liberal and quite up against Bush Jr. government at the time. But the guests surely reflect the times they were facing (Fab 5 Freddy talks about the gangsterism in the political system while Lumet compares the past with the then present 2004). In terms of debate, it's quite manageable, the guests don't interrupt each other and you can listen to all points of view (watch and learn, Fox News). But Demme isn't combative or too historical with his films like Oliver Stone, so it's rather strange that he'd wanted to proof a point with those views while trying to include them as a narrative force in "The Mancurian Candidate". And the director also provides an audio commentary to this short that doesn't elucidate anything: he just presents to us the personalities he brought in for the piece and that's it. Two minutes and he's gone. Of all the extra pieces from the DVD, this one has the lesser effect on viewers despite its positive qualities. 6/10
