Virago May 2012

Madelson - The Real PM?
DVD Release October 2011

This documentary feature film follows the Prince of Darkness, Peter Mandelson, in the run-up to this year's general election. The film observes Mandelson at his ministry, masterminding the election campaign and dealing with colleagues such as Gordon Brown and Alastair Campbell. With unprecedented access to key events and conversations, this film is a revelation about politics and a character study of one of its most controversial players.

The World premiere is at the London Film Festival on October 24th and 27th. There will be another screening at Sheffield International Documentary Festival Nov 5th.

There are so many best bits in this documentary that it is hard to choose between them, though a knockabout routine with Alastair Campbell deserves a special mention...Mandelson is a gift to a film maker but Rothschild has made the best of her material. Beautifully observed, intelligent and subtly subversive, this is a real tour de force.
Jane Shilling, Evening Standard.

'Astonishing Viewing. A jaw droppingly candid view- that takes no prisoners- of a tumultuous period in British politics.'
Sharon Lougher, Metro

'Riveting viewing' Marc Deanie, The Sun

'Totally engrossing' Daily Express

Radio Times - "the end result is something quite remarkable - a fly-on-the-wall documentary in the best traditions of the genre that offers a stripped-down view of politics in its rawest, most compelling form."

Michael Crick - "it should become one of the classic political documentaries."

"When a political documentary works ­The War Room for example ­ it channels
the adrenalin which addicts politicians and the sheer thrill of the pure
political animal. Hannah Rothschild¹s documentary for BBC¹s Storyville
strand is an extraordinary portrait of Britain¹s Peter Mandelson in the
run-up to this May¹s general election. Hannah Rothschild¹s documentary has the potential to attract wider audiences than the Westminster village despite its narrow UK focus and sits comfortably in the Storyville roster of excellence (Hoop Dreams, Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired)."
Finn Haligan, Screen International

"It's wonderful- its funny, thoroughly researched, intense, clever and beautifully constructed."
Molly Dineen, Today Programme, Radio 4

" A gripping and brilliant film" Rosie Boycott Evening Standard

'It offers a fascinating view from inside that weird, endgame election –
imagine a slow, knackered version of The Thick Of It, without the swearing –
and there are brilliant moments: here he is in his pants and socks; here he
is with hulking auld enemy, Alastair Campbell, eating soggy sandwiches as
they watch the first PM’s debate on TV. Best of all, more footage of that
foxtrot with a pensioner in Blackpool.' Scotland Herald

"an engrossing look at the run-up to the general election." Geoffrey Mcnab The independent

" an intensely fun film to watch." Dave Calhoun, Time Out

"The genius of this film is that it captures the bits in between to create an unforgettable portrait" Stephen Frears, The Evening Standard

"..this is heaven for political geeks. More than the sheer thrill of having a camera placed at the heart of the government machine - where journalists are seldom allowed to tread - the documentary's main strength is that it is actually rather hilarious...We feel like flies on a tremendously interesting wall. " Peter Wozniak, Politics.co.uk

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