Filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal are under fire for their upcoming film about the capture of Osama bin Laden, according to reports.
The New York Times’ Maureen Dowd wrote Sunday that the Obama administration is granting the filmmakers access for the president’s electoral benefit.
“The movie is scheduled to open on October 12, 2012 – perfectly timed to give a home-stretch boost to a campaign that has grown tougher,” Dowd wrote.
Regardless of its purpose, Obama can’t help but get a boost from the film.
Bigelow and Boal, who collaborated on Oscar-winning film The Hurt Locker, disputed the suggestion Wednesday in a joint statement issued to EW.
“Our upcoming film about the decade long pursuit of Bin Laden has been in the works for many years and integrates the collective efforts of three administrations, including those of Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama,” they say.
Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), the chairman of the House Homeland Security committee, yesterday called for an investigation into the allegations of access and classified information being shared for political benefit.
Expect the film to be released as planned.
Obama’s approval ratings have dipped into the low-to-mid-40s in recent weeks and he will undoubtedly face a tough fight for reelection next year.
Who will he face? That remains very much unclear. Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry are among the most formidable GOP hopefuls.