McDonnell: National Geographic to film 'Killing Kennedy' in Richmond

Press release from Governor Bob McDonnell's office....

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that the National Geographic Channel (NGC) will be returning to Richmond, Virginia, to film Bill O’Reilly’s historical narrative Killing Kennedy, the follow-up to his immensely popular book Killing Lincoln. NGC will once again team with Ridley Scott and Scott Free Productions who produced Killing Lincoln in 2011. Killing Lincoln was the first factual drama produced by NGC, and premiered as the most watched show in channel's history. It has since aired globally on National Geographic Channels worldwide in 171 countries and 38 languages. The new project will film in the Richmond, Virginia, area in 2013.

Governor McDonnell remarked, “I am so pleased that our recent visit with Scott Free Productions in Los Angeles will result in more jobs back here in Virginia. We appreciate our relationship with these clients, and look forward to welcoming them back to the Commonwealth.”

“It is an honor and pleasure to again work with NGC and Scott Free Productions,” commented Virginia Film Office director Andy Edmunds. “Their artistic vision, passion for authenticity and talented professional actors and crew always result in the best possible experience during filming and on the screen. Our ongoing partnership will hopefully lead to even more jobs for Virginians in the future.”

Killing Kennedy recounts the events and aftermath surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Executive Producer Ridley Scott has a long history as a producer, including his early work on Blade Runner and Thelma and Louise. He has previously worked in Virginia as producer of Hannibal, G.I. Jane, and Killing Lincoln. Casting for the project is in progress.

The film industry in Virginia plays a significant role in the state’s economy. In 2011, total economic impact of the film and television industry in Virginia was $394.4 million, a 14.5 percent increase over 2010. In addition, 3,817 jobs were attributed to the film industry in 2011, up from 2,651 jobs in 2010. Killing Kennedy is eligible for film incentives after their production is completed. For more information about Virginia’s film industry, visit the Virginia Film Office website at FilmVirginia.org.

This Sunday ... "George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview"

"I will not forget the wound to our country and those who inflicted it. I will not yield, I will not rest, I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people."

- President George W. Bush, 2001

This is one of my favorite photos of President George W. Bush. Taken on Air Force One in the hours after the 9/11 terrorism attacks, he and his advisers were busy working to protect American citizens after the disaster that had come to our shores.

Sunday night the National Georgraphic Channel will air "George W. Bush: The 9/11 Interview" to kick off its series of remembrances on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy that killed 3,000 innocent people and set in motion military action and a war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Reuters gave details of the interview that took place in May of 2011:

The interview was recorded over two days in May, without any questions being submitted in advance, the channel said.

National Geographic said Bush gives "intimate details'' of his thoughts and feelings in a way never seen before. Most of the interview is about the first minutes and hours of the day that Islamic militants hijacked four planes and crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Executive producer and director Peter Schnall said Bush, who has adopted a low public profile since leaving office in January 2009, brought no notes to the interview.

"What you hear is the personal story of a man who also happened to be our president. Listening to him describe how he grappled with a sense of anger and frustration coupled with his personal mandate to lead our country through this devastating attack was incredibly powerful,'' Schnall said.

The special includes footage from behind the scenes on that historic day that changed America, the world, the American people, and a president who had been in office only eight months but who was determined that his most important priority was the safety of the American people and the homeland. Mission accomplished. For that, we are eternally grateful.