On Book and Film: Casino Jack Premieres at TIFF

The story of charismatic yet corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff is not only being brought to life on the big screen in the political drama Casino Jack, but the screenplay (andt hen some) has been bound into a neat book.

This bookmarks the first in The Exile Silver Screen Series, and was launched with a lovely cocktail party at LeVack Block with The Creative Coalition's Spotlight Initiative, who is giving their whole hearted support behind the biopic.

Norman Snider, who penned the intelligent screenplay, George Hickenlooper, who skilfully directed the film, and the uber talented Kevin Spacey, who stars as the disgraced lobbyist, were all in attendance and warmly willing to sign copies of the book.

The paperback includes a forward by Snider that, among other topics, paints a further background to Abramoff. The introduction by Hickenlooper lets the reader in on the filmmaker's journey to bring the story from an idea, through the ups and downs of development and preproduction, and also his personal relationship with the world of politics.

Film stills are scattered throughout the script and in the back a fun Director's Photo Diary with behind the scene tidbits, as well as storyboards by Rob Ballantyne. My personal favourite part is that you can read and reread Spacey's awesome opening monologue that jump starts the movie and the book, and is sure to be added to the list of memorable movie dialogue.

Casino Jack the book is now available, and the film will have its world premiere as a TIFF Gala screening on Thursday, September 16th and will be released theatrically in December.

Emer Schlosser
		About the author:
		Always a fan of words in various glorious forms – novels, dialogue, lyrics, etc – Emer translated her passion into a writing career in 2005. She has since supplied gossip on celebrities to Canadian Press, interviewed individuals from the arts for Inside Entertainment, expressed her fondness for food for Cheese Boutique’s blog, & co-founded, edited and contributed to iheartthemusic.com. At the moment she’s taking the mystery out of Green Living and providing some great tips on Home Renovation, Decorating & Design and Curb Appeal to the members of casaGURU.com. casaGURU, “the homeowner’s home online”, is a free web community that connects homeowners and local house experts.
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