It is with great sadness that we must share tragic news: George Hickenlooper has died. The director of the new motion picture CASINO JACK died of apparent natural causes at just 47 years old this past weekend.

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival will present a special montage in his memory at the two screenings of the film on Sunday, Nov. 7.

We at Books & Books send our sincere condolences to his family.

George Hickenlooper had been set to discuss his movie and sign copies of his director's notes and forward for the book Casino Jack by Norman Snider at Books & Books Bal Harbour Shops on Saturday, Nov. 6. In honor of Hickenlooper's work and passion for this story, we are including a brief description of Casino Jack here:

Detailing one of the most fascinating characters in recent political history, CASINO JACK, traces the rise and fall of Jack Abramoff, lobbyist extraordinaire. Political honchos Tom Delay (House Majority Leader) and Bob Ney (Congressman for Ohio) hitched their star to Abramoff’s wagon only to see it crash and burn. Abramoff and his sidekick Michael Scanlon pedaled their front of Washington influence to multiple Indian tribes and their casino operations.

Of particular interest to South Florida audiences is the Abramoff/Scanlon takeover of Sun Cruz Casinos (in the film called SunSail ) and its founder Gus Boulis.

The film’s all-star cast includes Kevin Spacey as the ambitious Abramoff, Barry Pepper as the scandalous Scanlon,Jon Lovitz – perfect in the part of the sleazy mattress monarch Adam Kidan, Kelly Preston as Pam Abramoff – unaware of the scope of her husband’s dealings  as Scanlon’s wronged fiance…and a host of other wonderful performances of some intriguing individuals including Rachelle LefevreDaniel Kash as Gus Boulis and the departed Maury Chaikin playing mobster Big Tony.

Award winning director George Hickenlooper created the best work of his career with a finely orchestrated dance that is laced with humor and seasoned with shock. The film moves quickly and holds our attention rapt. The fact that it is all (or mostly) true and a great deal of it happened right here in our own backyard makes the film even more enthralling. Toss in a who’s who of John McCain, Bill Clinton, Ralph Reed, Karl Rove, George W. Bush…and you have a brilliant motion picture.

George Hickenlooper's new film, CASINO JACK will premiere during the 25th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival on Sunday, November 7 at 5:15pm and 7:00pm at Cinema Paradiso in downtown Fort Lauderdale.  The festival runs through November 11. For details and tickets visit www.FLIFF.com or call 954-525-3456.