Raising Buchanan


Raising Buchanan is a 2019 American comedy film produced by Amanda Melby, Joe Gruberman, Chadwick Struck and Cathy Shim, written and directed by Bruce Dellis. The film stars René Auberjonois in the role of the title character, James Buchanan, the 15th president of [the United States], and was his final role released in his lifetime. He died in December 2019. The film was Bruce Dellis' first full-length feature. Raising Buchanan was filmed in and near Phoenix, Arizona.

Plot

Ruth Kiesling is a 39-year-old woman with anger issues and a history of making poor decisions. Ruth sees an opportunity to turn her life around by stealing the body of a dead president to hold for ransom. However, she quickly learns that no one is particularly interested in getting him back.

Cast

Production

Dellis shot the film on location in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Prescott and Paradise Valley, Arizona. He used an Arizona-based crew and nearly all of the actors were based in Arizona, with the exception of some key talent.
Originally, actor/comedian Andy Dick was slated to play the part of Lancaster Guy, but performance issues and allegations of sexual improprieties caused his firing the day after his scene was shot. The scene was subsequently re-shot using Robert Ben Garant in the role of Lancaster Guy.

Soundtrack

Several songs on the soundtrack concern mining disasters.
  • "All This Could Be Yours"
  • "Game of Pricks"
  • "Timothy"
  • "Last Day in the Mine"
  • "Explosion in the Fairmont Mine"
  • "McBeth Mine Explosion"
  • "Close the Coalhouse Door"
  • "Bow Wow"
  • "Cello Sonata No. 1, Op 38"
  • "Sonata Amanda, 3. Andante"