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Film Archive

Bob Roberts

Special Events 2018 / Bob Roberts / USA, United Kingdom 1992

A television crew headed by British journalist Terry follows the election campaign of country singer Bob Roberts as he vies for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Tim Robbins’s satirical mockumentary is a brilliant study of populism, media manipulation and political tactics that are not afraid to stoop to the lowest and dirtiest tricks.

Bob Roberts

Synopsis

Robert “Bob” Roberts knows what America needs. The cynical businessman and folk singer wraps his protest songs in ultraconservative catchphrases and immediately wins over the crowds hankering after simple assurances. Because “Bob” spelled backwards is still “Bob.” In the 1990s American actor Tim Robbins stepped up to the director’s chair, subsequently turning out several outstanding films. This mockumentary about the rise of an American senator is a sophisticated political satire and also illustrates Robbins’s versatility: he penned the screenplay for the picture, he directed it, appeared in the lead role, and co-wrote the songs, which he performs in the film. Robbins also secured the collaboration of several star colleagues for cameo appearances in this, his helming debut.

Nikola Paggio

About the film

102 min / Color, 35 mm

Director Tim Robbins / Screenplay Tim Robbins / Dir. of Photography Jean Lépine / Music David Robbins / Editor Lisa Zeno Churgin / Art Director Gary Kosko / Producer Forrest Murray / Production Miramax / Coproduction Live Entertainment, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, The Rank Organisation, Working Title Films / Cast Tim Robbins, Giancarlo Esposito, Alan Rickman, Ray Wise / Sales Park Circus Group

About the director

Tim Robbins

Tim Robbins (b. 1958, West Covina, California, USA). Selected filmography: Bob Roberts (1992), Dead Man Walking (1995), Cradle Will Rock (1999), Embedded (2005, taped stage play), Possible Side Effects (2009, TV film), City of Lies (2018)

Contacts

Park Circus Group
15 Woodside Crescent, G37UL, Glasgow
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 141 332 2175
E-mail: [email protected]

Guests

Tim Robbins

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