‘I didn’t want to sound like George Bush’

Films that are littered with political satire, if released in an election year, are expected to do well. One such movie is The Campaign, which stars actors Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis as two Southerners vying for a seat in Congress to represent their small district.

Films that are littered with political satire, if released in an election year, are expected to do well. One such movie is The Campaign, which stars actors Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis as two Southerners vying for a seat in Congress to represent their small district.

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As to releasing the film in the year of the US Presidential elections, Ferrell says, “Our idea was always to get it out before the presidential election, and I actually think we come out just before one of the conventions. So, it was a conscious choice.” He adds, “Moreover, the idea of trying to do something satirical about politics has been done before, but they have been subtler. I don’t think there has ever been anything this broad, over-the-top and kind of vulgar (like this film).”

Since Ferrell originally hails from California, did he have any problems with embracing the southern accent? “It was easy for Zach because he is from North Carolina. I was just trying to avoid sounding like George Bush all the time. So, I had to constantly work on mine,” he says.

As for his role in the film, which released in India on Friday, Ferrell says, “I play a charming person who’s been able to rise to the top with the least amount of work. I think initially he wanted to make a difference, but found it was easy to get re-elected and slacked in the job.”