THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604250465
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
A documentary film about Virginia's riveting 1994 U.S. Senate campaign between Chuck Robb and Oliver North is slated 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. MEMO: For ticket information, call 202-785-4600. by CNB