PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Kathryn Bigelow and Mark Boal have hit back to defend the film they are making about the hunt for Osama bin Laden.

Peter King, the Republican congressman in the US who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, is questioning why the Obama administration is cooperating with the film made by director Bigelow and screenwriter Boal, who won Oscars for their military drama The Hurt Locker, set in Iraq.

Bigelow and Boal said in a statement: "The dangerous work of finding the world's most wanted man was carried out by individuals in the military and intelligence communities who put their lives at risk for the greater good without regard for political affiliation.

"This was an American triumph, both heroic and non-partisan, and there is no basis to suggest that our film will represent this enormous victory otherwise."

The congressman has said that too much information has leaked out about the raid that killed bin Laden in Pakistan last May. He said that Pentagon officials warn against any further public discussion of the details.

White House spokesman Jay Carney says the congressman should find something better to do.

The movie is scheduled for release in October 2012, less than a month before the presidential election.