Nothing So Strange
Encyclopedia
Nothing So Strange is a 2002 American mockumentary, written, produced and directed by Brian Flemming
in the style of an "independent
documentary
", centering on the fictional assassination
of former Microsoft
chairman Bill Gates
on December 2, 1999. The film won the New York Times Claiborne Pell Award for Original Vision at the Newport Film Festival and was called "the ideal prototype film for the digital age" by Variety.
At the very beginning of the film, Bill Gates (played by experienced Gates-double Steve Sires) walks onto the stage of the pavilion in MacArthur Park
, Los Angeles, California
on Thursday, December 2, 1999 to give a check for one million dollars to "Literacy For Life" as part of the "Bill Gates Foundation." (The filmmakers intentionally avoided mentioning Gates' family members in the film; thus, they refrain from naming the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
.) Upon reaching the stage, Gates is shot dead by a sniper - first in the right shoulder, then the head.
While chasing after the unknown sniper through an abandoned building, a rookie police officer fatally shoots Alek J. Hidell
(a known alias of JFK
killer Lee Harvey Oswald
), a minor anti-establishment figure and minority, in the head. Hiddell is named as the assassin of Gates, a report to this effect is filed by district attorney
Gil Garcetti
, and the case is closed.
Beyond this point, which occurs before the opening credits are finished, Gates doesn't reappear and is mentioned only as a wealthy successful man and the subject of the assassination being investigated. The word "Microsoft
" barely makes an appearance in the film, and Gates is portrayed as a well-liked and missed public figure, with a very passing mention of the existence of anti-Gates sentiment.
However, a group of people dissatisfied with the official version of events organizes into the activist group Citizens for Truth, and sets out to examine the available evidence of the assassination. The organization uncovers numerous details that create reasonable doubt as to the guilt of Hiddell in the assassination, and the possibility that the real assassin is still at large.
The mockumentary
follows the organization as they grow in numbers, political prominence, and progress in their investigative efforts. The organization's success reaches a climax at their first annual convention, which is followed by their rapid drop in credibility and visibility to become effectively irrelevant.
As part of his research for the movie, Flemming spent time in the flagging conspiracy theory
circles still surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy
. A number of elements in the movie mirror those in that real-life incident as well as those real-life groups. The name of the organization's leader is a combination of names from leaders of Kennedy assassination groups, and Hiddell's name is an alias once used by Lee Harvey Oswald
. Likewise, the name of the organization is similar to a Kennedy assassination conspiracy group, "Citizens for Truth about the Kennedy Assassination" (CTKA). The alternate theories and tales generated by Citizens for Truth also mimic theories from Kennedy assassination circles, including a "running man" theory, and a forced witness' reversal by police.
The film gains most of its realism from a number of unorthodox film-making techniques that are not obvious from watching the movie.
Very little of the film was scripted. Flemming has said that he wrote no script, providing perhaps a few important lines, and instead putting the creative effort into the details of the props and artifacts of the story. The "Garcetti Report" on the assassination, for example, is a complete document written by Flemming. The actors improvised most of their own dialogue, interactions, and reflections, and to some extent aiming the direction of the story along with their organization, with minor daily cues from Flemming. Most of the actors had no prior professional acting experience.
Another technique is what Flemming has termed "reality-hacking"; the interaction of the actors in character with the real world. A scene taking place on the protest stage of the 2000 Democratic National Convention
was filmed at the real convention, the day after main protests but still while the convention was in progress. The cast obtained a permit to protest on the stage under the Citizens for Truth name, and managed to attract a minor crowd and the attention of one New York Times reporter.
The DVD for the movie is likewise largely in character, including pseudo-behind-the-scenes footage of the CfT group, and prop documents from the movie.
. However another film of the same name was taken to the 2000 Sundance Film Festival
, causing a re-naming of the Gates project before its 2003 release.
Two members of the cast, Steve Sires and David James, have starred in promotional-related work for Microsoft.
Brian Flemming
Brian Flemming is an American film director and playwright.- Early career :Flemming was born and raised in California's San Fernando Valley, and studied English at the University of California, Irvine, graduating in 1998...
in the style of an "independent
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
documentary
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
", centering on the fictional assassination
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
of former Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
chairman Bill Gates
Bill Gates
William Henry "Bill" Gates III is an American business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and author. Gates is the former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen...
on December 2, 1999. The film won the New York Times Claiborne Pell Award for Original Vision at the Newport Film Festival and was called "the ideal prototype film for the digital age" by Variety.
Synopsis
MacArthur Park
MacArthur Park is a park in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, named after General Douglas MacArthur and designated city of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #100.- Geography :...
, Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
on Thursday, December 2, 1999 to give a check for one million dollars to "Literacy For Life" as part of the "Bill Gates Foundation." (The filmmakers intentionally avoided mentioning Gates' family members in the film; thus, they refrain from naming the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. It is "driven by the interests and passions of the Gates family"...
.) Upon reaching the stage, Gates is shot dead by a sniper - first in the right shoulder, then the head.
While chasing after the unknown sniper through an abandoned building, a rookie police officer fatally shoots Alek J. Hidell
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
(a known alias of JFK
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
killer Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
), a minor anti-establishment figure and minority, in the head. Hiddell is named as the assassin of Gates, a report to this effect is filed by district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
Gil Garcetti
Gil Garcetti
Gilbert Salvadore Iberri "Gil" Garcetti is an American politician. He served as Los Angeles County's 40th District Attorney for two terms, from 1992 until November 7, 2000.-Background:...
, and the case is closed.
Beyond this point, which occurs before the opening credits are finished, Gates doesn't reappear and is mentioned only as a wealthy successful man and the subject of the assassination being investigated. The word "Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
" barely makes an appearance in the film, and Gates is portrayed as a well-liked and missed public figure, with a very passing mention of the existence of anti-Gates sentiment.
The mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
follows the organization as they grow in numbers, political prominence, and progress in their investigative efforts. The organization's success reaches a climax at their first annual convention, which is followed by their rapid drop in credibility and visibility to become effectively irrelevant.
Illusory techniques
Conspiracy theory
A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.-Usage:The term "conspiracy...
circles still surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. A number of elements in the movie mirror those in that real-life incident as well as those real-life groups. The name of the organization's leader is a combination of names from leaders of Kennedy assassination groups, and Hiddell's name is an alias once used by Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
. Likewise, the name of the organization is similar to a Kennedy assassination conspiracy group, "Citizens for Truth about the Kennedy Assassination" (CTKA). The alternate theories and tales generated by Citizens for Truth also mimic theories from Kennedy assassination circles, including a "running man" theory, and a forced witness' reversal by police.
The film gains most of its realism from a number of unorthodox film-making techniques that are not obvious from watching the movie.
Very little of the film was scripted. Flemming has said that he wrote no script, providing perhaps a few important lines, and instead putting the creative effort into the details of the props and artifacts of the story. The "Garcetti Report" on the assassination, for example, is a complete document written by Flemming. The actors improvised most of their own dialogue, interactions, and reflections, and to some extent aiming the direction of the story along with their organization, with minor daily cues from Flemming. Most of the actors had no prior professional acting experience.
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
was filmed at the real convention, the day after main protests but still while the convention was in progress. The cast obtained a permit to protest on the stage under the Citizens for Truth name, and managed to attract a minor crowd and the attention of one New York Times reporter.
Promotional tactics
Prior to release of the film, Flemming registered and developed realistic web pages for a number of the subjects in the film, including http://www.citizensfortruth.org, lamenting the assassination of Bill Gates and criticizing the LAPD for their poor investigation of the incident. In addition http://www.billgatesisdead.com, where a fictitious character, Jack Perdue, played by one of the film's investors, documents the tragedy and aftermath. Each of these sites, including the main website for the movie, are completely in character and betray nothing about their purely fictitious nature.The DVD for the movie is likewise largely in character, including pseudo-behind-the-scenes footage of the CfT group, and prop documents from the movie.
Other information
The film project was initially known as MacArthur ParkMacArthur Park
MacArthur Park is a park in the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, named after General Douglas MacArthur and designated city of Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #100.- Geography :...
. However another film of the same name was taken to the 2000 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
, causing a re-naming of the Gates project before its 2003 release.
Two members of the cast, Steve Sires and David James, have starred in promotional-related work for Microsoft.
Cast
Primary cast members:- Debra Meagher - Laurie Pike
- David James - David James
- Mark Anderson - Mark Daniel Cade
- Keith Charles - Keythe Farley
- Dan Rivera - Douglas Glazer
- Valerie - Valerie Gordon
- Etana - Etana Jacobson
- Jennifer Smith - Jennifer Lauren
- Bill Gates - Steve Sires
- Julia Serrano - Sarah Stanley
- Alek Hidell - Philip Anthony Traylor
- Steve Martinez - Steve Wilcox
- Didi Williams - Himself
Produced by
- Brian Clark - executive producer
- Brian Flemming - producer
- David James - co-producer (as Garland Slack)
- Tammy J. Kearns - executive producer
- Garland Slack - co-producer
External links
- Nothingsostrange.com - Official website of the film
- "Anatomy of a Fake" - Short behind-the-scenes video about "reality hacking" in the movie
- Citizensfortruth.org - A website about the Citizens for Truth group in the movie
- Garcettireport.org - The "official report" about the assassination in the movie
- EZ-Entertainment.net - Interview about the film
- IMDB Film Credits and Cast