ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996               TAG: 9604250068
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-3  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE 

ROBB VS. NORTH: NOW COMES THE DOCUMENTARY

A documentary film about Virginia's 1994 U.S. Senate campaign between Chuck Robb and Oliver North is to make its debut in Washington next week.

"The Perfect Candidate" is a two-hour, 45-minute film that follows North across Virginia in his unsuccessful effort to unseat Robb.

The movie was made by R.J. Cutler, who won fame for "The War Room," a behind-the-scenes documentary about Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign.

Viewers of "The Perfect Candidate" will see the orchestration of divisive politics and media manipulation that, at times, makes Robb, North and their handlers less than appealing.

The film will debut at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Washington International Filmfest. It will be released to theaters in June.

Most of the film focuses on North and his immense ability to excite conservative voters. Robb, who gave the filmmakers little access, often appears to be confused and tongue-tied.

Robb, a Democrat, was not pleased with the movie. "It's tough to get excited about a tale told by your adversaries and edited in a way that makes Oliver Stone look like a stickler for truth," he said.

North, a Republican, is vacationing in the Caribbean and could not be reached for comment.

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