US streamer The Network plays War Game with political role-play doc

War Game aims to explore the limits of presidential power

US AVoD platform The Network has picked up political thriller documentary War Game, which it will launch on America’s Independence Day (July 4) in association with Boat Rocker Studios and Anonymous Content.

Directed by Jesse Moss and Tony Gerber, War Game centres on a bipartisan group of US defence, intelligence and elected policymakers spanning five presidential administrations. The group participates in an unscripted role-play exercise in which they confront a political coup backed by rogue members of the US military in the wake of a contested presidential election.

The doc, organised by Vet Voice Foundation, takes place in a simulated version of the Situation Room in the White House, where the participants explore the limits of presidential power in real time.

Governor Steve Bullock of Montana plays the role of president, while General Wesley Clark acts as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Senator Doug Jones is attorney general and Senator Heidi Heitkamp is special advisor to the president.

Moss and Gerber said in a joint statement: “This film offers an urgent, behind-the-scenes look at a plausible political crisis, and we hope it continues to inspire reflection and dialogue about the complexities of leadership in moments of peril.”

Aram Rappaport, CEO of The Network, added: “War Game reminds us that the United States is a delicate experiment, and no matter what your political affiliation, we must all work together to uphold our democracy.”

Boat Rocker has worldwide distribution rights to the film, which is produced by Todd Lubin, Jack Turner and Mark DiCristofaro, with Nick Shumaker and Jessica Grimshaw.

Boat Rocker co-chairs Ivan Schneeburg and David Fortier exec produce with Anonymous Content’s president of television David Levine, Seth Brodie, Jay Peterson and Eric Schmeltzer. Also exec producing are Warren Littlefield for The Littlefield Co and Jonathan E Steinberg and Dan Shotz for Quaker Moving Pictures.