The Boogie Man educational DVD with abbreviated Teacher’s Guide is now available exclusively for educational purchase. Filmmaker Stefan Forbes and producer Noland Walker are also available for speaking engagements. Details and customer assistance are available by calling 917-450-3847 or emailing a request for an invoice to: info [at] interpositive [dot] com. Or click below to purchase.

BOOGIE MAN: The Lee Atwater Story
USA, 86 minutes
Political Science, Sociology, African-American Studies, American History, Communications, Media Studies, Journalism, American Studies
US Release date: 2009
Director: Stefan Forbes
Producers: Stefan Forbes, Noland Walker

Educational price w/performance rights: $249.


Special rate for public libraries only: $49.99


From the producer of PBS’s Emmy and Peabody Award-winning film Citizen King and Africans in America and the Emmy-nominated director of PBS’s award-winning film One More Dead Fish comes the compelling story of Lee Atwater, the blues-playing rogue whose rambunctious rise from the South to Chairman of the GOP made him a household name. Without Atwater, neither Ronald Reagan or George H.W. Bush might have been elected. Atwater mentored Karl Rove and George W. Bush while making the GOP a Southern party, expertly advancing the culture wars, transforming the way the American media covers elections, and becoming seen as the godfather of modern negative campaigning.

Despite his friendships with legendary American R&B artists James Brown, Chuck Jackson (interviewed in the film) and BB King, Atwater was accused of racially inflammatory tactics. With inside analysis from elite Republican leaders and important journalists, and compelling, never-before-seen archival footage of Atwater and both Presidents Bush, this instant political classic is an important re-examination of the last 40 years of American history. And with Atwater protégés working as senior advisors to the McCain campaign, this is a timely examination of how Atwater’s ghost looms over modern American politics.

BOOGIE MAN INTERNATIONAL CRITICAL RESPONSE

“Generous in spirit and nimble in technique, this riveting documentary about the Republican operative (who died of a brain tumor in 1991) reveals a scrappy genius rife with contradictions.” - Jeannette Catsoulis, NY Times Critic’s Pick

“A compelling portrait…Stefan Forbes’ film is a fascinating study with telling interviews.” - UK Telegraph

“In the can’t-look-away documentary “Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story,” there is more than one moment that will likely pop your jaw open…Wow.” - Neely Tucker, Washington Post #1 Can’t Miss Pick

“A cunning and brilliantly edited documentary” - The Montreal Gazette

“It will evoke blood-spitting rage or resounding awe. Either way, it’s a hugely entertaining, efficiently crafted documentary about a ruthless, if undeniably clever, American political force.” - Gary Goldstein, LA Times

“Dazzling” - Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald

“A fascinating portrait of an almost likable rogue…It makes a companion piece to Oliver Stone’s W…a remarkable portrait…heartbreaking.” - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

“Astonishing and compelling” - Jeffrey Lyons, Reel Talk

“Excellent…astounding…will stick to your ribs like molasses on barbecue.” – Linda Stasi, NY Post

“Director Stefan Forbes has assembled a brilliantly complex portrait that shines an unnerving light on the man who painted the landscape of contemporary American politics.” - Johnathan F. Richards, Film.com

“Fascinating!” - Ella Taylor, LA Weekly Critic’s Pick

“This finely crafted political biography dissects and explains the nastiness of US politics during the past three decades like nothing I have read or viewed. It nails down every claim it makes…it will make you seethe. Don’t miss this documentary.” – David Zurawik, Baltimore Sun

“An excellent and frightening documentary” - Gerald Peary, Boston Phoenix

“Immensely relevant, compelling…Honestly, every adult in America should see it before casting another vote.” - Elizabeth Weitzman, NY Daily News

“Stefan Forbes’ incisive portrait of the late, infamous Republican consultant is a chronicle of how the culture war took over American politics. As such, it could scarcely be more timely…terrific!” - Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

“Wholly engrossing” - London Sunday Times

“One of the very best political documentary films of the year…powerful and strangely moving…Avoiding the didactic tone of too many political films, director Stefan Forbes has created a fascinating biopic…a terribly relevant warning about what is coming as Atwater’s heirs unveil the distortions and distractions they hope will elect John McCain.” - Joe Conason, NY Observer

“A compelling portrait of one of the great con men of modern American politics…bracing…worth watching…why are we so easily manipulated into voting our fears?” - Patrick Goldstein, LA Times

“Scalpel-sharp…induces shivers.” - Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle

“Can you understand American politics if you don’t understand Lee Atwater? I believe not.” - Tucker Eskew, Senior McCain/Palin Advisor

“A model of sharp pacing. Lensing and interviewees are faultless.” - Variety

“Amazing” - Doug Polisin, Movie Maker Magazine


“An excellent and frightening documentary”
- Gerald Peary, The Boston Phoenix

“Mesmerizing, remarkable…a sensationally entertaining doc… it could cash in on election fever and rope in some true believers on both sides, perhaps even drawing Oscar’s attention…writer/director Stefan Forbes has crafted one of the most useful and eye-opening political documentaries of our times.” - BoxOffice.com


“I thought I’d seen enough of  American electoral politics until I watched Boogie Man. This is a superb film - caustic, humorous and totally unforgiving.”
- Nick Fraser, BBC Commissioning Editor

“A masterpiece” - Thom Hartmann, The Thom Hartmann Show

“Rambunctious…eye-opening” - The New York Sun

“Phenomenally good. A riveting look into the life and mind of Lee Atwater, the mastermind of contemporary slash-and-burn politics.” - Drew Westen, author, The Political Brain

“Intense…compelling…will touch hearts on both sides of the aisle.” - Christian Toto, The Washington Times

“A timely exploration of the rise of the Right, the forces shaping modern politics, and a humanistic, mirror-like indictment of American repression, power-lust, and complicity. Without a trace of pandering, Forbes takes us on a riotous journey through the last few decades in search of our collective American soul.” - Taylor Segrest, Documentary Magazine

“Fascinating” - Village Voice

“A provocative, timely, and compelling film.” - Barbara Kopple

“Gov’t. Mule and Lightning Hopkins are part of the coolest blues soundtrack you will ever hear on a political documentary.”  - Ian Johns, London Observer

Stefan Forbes, Producer/Director

Mr. Forbes is an Emmy-nominated Director. His documentary One More Dead Fish, about renegade fishermen in Nova Scotia struggling to survive globalization, broadcast on PBS, was called “inspiring” by the Detroit News, “fascinating” by noted historian Howard Zinn, and “wonderful” by Cannes Palme D’Or-winning filmmaker Ken Loach. Mr. Forbes has written and directed Emmy-nominated, award-winning national PSA campaigns featuring actors Charlize Theron, Gywneth Paltrow, Mike Myers, Susan Sarandon, Josh Hartnett, Julia Stiles, Matthew Broderick, and others. He is a 2006 NYFA Fellow. Boogie Man is his debut feature.

Noland Walker, producer

Mr. Walker is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker who wrote and co-produced the acclaimed new documentary, Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple. He co-produced and co-directed Citizen King, a two-hour film about the last years of Martin Luther King’s life for PBS’s American Experience. The film premiered at the Sundance Film festival and screened in festivals around the world. Mr Walker has written and/or directed several documentary films which have aired nationally on PBS, including an episode of the groundbreaking 1998 series Africans in America.

Cast: Ed Rollins, Gov. Michael Dukakis, Howard Fineman, Mary Matalin, Sam Donaldson, Terry McAuliffe, Ishmael Reed, Tom DeLay, Tucker Eskew, Jack Bass, PhD., Eric Alterman, Joe Conason, Roger Stone, Bob Novak, and others

Archival: Lee Atwater, Strom Thurmond, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Leslie Stahl, Tom Brokaw, Bob Schieffer, Trent Lott, Dan Rather, Karl Rove, B.B. King, Bob Dole, Bryant Gumbel, Mario Cuomo, Ted Kennedy, Dick Cheney, and others