Raising Buchanan is a dark comedy film that follows Ruth Kiesling (Amanda Melby), a struggling Arizona single mother who hatches a desperate plan to steal the body of James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States. In her mind, she believes that holding his remains for ransom will fetch her a large sum of money and solve her financial troubles.
Ruth enlists the help of her friends and together, they manage to sneak into a local cemetery in the middle of the night and steal the former president's body. However, as they try to navigate their way through the intricacies of the plot, they soon discover that the political intrigue and public apathy surrounding Buchanan's legacy make him a less than desirable hostage.
Things quickly go awry for Ruth and her accomplices as they find themselves in over their heads, dealing with bureaucracy, government agents, and unexpected moral dilemmas. With no one willing to pay the ransom and an increasing number of people looking for Buchanan's missing corpse, Ruth must find a way to get out of this mess before it's too late.
The film is directed by Bruce Dellis and stars René Auberjonois, Cathy Shim, and Robert Ben Garant in supporting roles. It is a satirical look at American politics, identity, and the sacrifices people are willing to make to change their lives. With its witty script and stellar performances, Raising Buchanan is a captivating and entertaining film that explores the absurdity of power and the consequences of our actions.
