Atwater Under the Bridge

Just in time for one of the most important U.S. elections in decades comes a powerful, provocative documentary about one of the most important political operatives of the past thirty years. As the architect of the modern Republican Party, mentor of Karl Rove and the man who perfected the use of “dirty tricks,” such as the infamous Willie Horton ad, Lee Atwater is a polarizing figure, hated by the left and venerated by the right. Evenhanded and unflinching, Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story is neither a liberal hatchet job nor a conservative whitewash of Atwater. “It’s a timely, must-see film, a compelling portrait of one of the great con men of modern American, roll-in-the-mud politics,” says Ron Henderson, co-founder of the Denver Film Society.

Director Stefan Forbes will appear in person tonight for the film’s debut as the third of five films in the Denver Film Society’s Executive Direction series, which looks at issues in presidential politics. Showtime is 7 p.m. at Starz FilmCenter in the Tivoli, and tickets are $9.50 general admission, $7 for students and seniors, and $6 for DFS members. Boogie Man’s run continues nightly through October 23; check www.denverfilm.org or call 303-595-3456 ext. 250 for info on showtimes and other films in the series.
Oct. 15-23, 2008