You've Been Trumped

In 2007, business magnate Donald Trump purchased a huge stretch of the northeast coast of Scotland, announcing a grand plan to construct two golf courses, a 450-room luxury hotel, and 1,500 townhouses. The Donald was not welcomed by many locals; in fact, several refused to sell their property to accommodate his dream. While this may seem like a real-life version of the classic 1983 Bill Forsyth film Local Hero, little in the way of gentle humor was found in Trump's Scottish adventure, as we learn in Anthony Baxter's award-winning documentary detailing how Trump and his backers in Scotland's political leadership bulldozed their way—literally and figuratively—into making the scheme work. Trump crudely insulted his opponents, referring to one farmer as living in a pigsty. When a local council rejected a building application on environmental grounds, the Scottish parliament took the unprecedented step of reversing the decision. And while local police were indifferent when residents living next to the construction site had their water supply shut off, the authorities were extremely eager to arrest Baxter for shooting his film. Trump and his Scottish allies refused to be interviewed, so the story told here is necessarily shaped by Trump's detractors; regardless, American-style capitalism has never looked so ugly. DVD extras include bonus footage, and an appearance by the filmmaker on Moyers & Company. An ALA-VRT Notable Videos for Adults selection, this is recommended. [Note: this is also available with public performance rights for $295 from Bullfrog Films, www.bullfrogfilms.com.] Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)