Michael Moore: I May QUIT Documentaries

[a kennedy]

DAVID GERMAIN

TORONTO — Michael Moore says he made his latest documentary, "Capitalism: A Love Story," as though it were his last. And it might be.

The George W. Bush antagonist of "Fahrenheit 9/11" and gun-control champion of "Bowling for Columbine" closing up shop? The General Motors jouster of "Roger & Me" and health-care trouper of "Sicko" no longer in the documentary business?

"I'm saying it's a possibility, yeah," Moore said in an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, where "Capitalism" played in advance of its limited release in theaters Sept. 23 and nationwide rollout Oct. 2.

"I've done this for 20 years. I started out by warning people about General Motors, and my whole career has been trying to say the emperor has no clothes here, and we better do something about it," Moore said. "I've been having to sort of knock my head against the wall here for 20 years saying these things.

"Two years ago, I tried to get the health-care debate going, and it did eventually, and now where are we? We may not even have it. What am I supposed to do at a certain point?"

Moore, 55, whose nonfiction projects include the television shows "TV Nation" and "The Awful Truth," is thinking he wants to return to fiction. He wrote and directed one fictional film, the 1995 comedy "Canadian Bacon," starring John Candy in his next-to-last role as an American county sheriff who goes on the warpath after the U.S. president (Alan Alda) tries to boost his sagging image by provoking hostilities with Canada.

full article: <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/15/michael-moore-i-may-quit-_n_286854.html>

[Tim01]

1. Good. nt

[Le Taz Hot]

4. Huh?

Why "good?" (PLEASE don't tell me this has anything to do with Nader.)

[YOY]

5. Praytell... why "good"?

Because it's not like he hasn't been 100% correct about a shitload of things that have all come true. :sarcasm:

[fascisthunter]

good because he exposes corporate criminality...?

I think you are lost

[gatorboy]

8. Uh oh.

Someone has to tinkle.

[kctim]

10. Very good.

[JTFrog]

12. At least the tim's think so.

:wtf:

:shrug:

[omega minimo]

28. vikctims of propergadna

[Flying Dream Blues]

35. Ha! Good won! ;) nt

[kctim]

41. No, the victims of propoganda

are those of you who accept half-truths and opinions as fact in order to justify your own personal views.

[redqueen]

46. propoganda?

*roffle*

[omega minimo]

69. proGOPanda

[Zoeisright]

74. Project much?

'You'? Hmmmm.....

[YOY]

78. Like us white folks who won't wake up?

n/t

[TK421]

80. If only this Tim would make them go away

[marmar]

20. The Michael Moore Hate Society's DU Chapter has been busy lately.....

...... Are you guys just busy on your pre-emptive anti-"Capitalism: A Love Story" rounds or what?

[Individualist]

32. They're always busy

DLC detests Michael Moore because of all he has done to expose the truth about corporations.

[Generic Other]

54. Why do so many DUers hate all our heroes?

When I make a list of people whose voices got me through 8 years of Bush shit, MM's name is way at the top of the list. I suppose the haters preferred Lieberman or all those DINOS who did nothing but kiss Bush's tush.

[Echo In Light]

57. I suspect strong adherence to 'profe$$ionalism' i.e. moderates who respect the status quo

... and don't care for those whiny, loony lefties who just want to see the entire system BURN!

Quack

[omega minimo]

70. Define "moderate."

:hi:

[Deja Q]

62. Define "hero".

Some people think that some guy who hits a ball with a stick and then runs around on a patch of dirt, shaped like a diamond or rectangle, makes for a "hero".

[omega minimo]

30. You too.

:puke:

[kenfrequed]

18. Care to explain that?

There is little I hate more than a supposed democrat that gets all whiney and pissy and buys the corporate conservative spin on one of our talkers. I actually had to dress down a guy that claimed to be a 'Kennedy Democrat' who claimed He "...would have voted for McLame had he not chosen Palin"

I pointed out that no one was actually articulating and presenting liberal views to the public, and listed off a couple of key progressive issues, and challenged him to name someone covering them he promptly shut the hell up.

Please tell me you are just some kind of misguided well wisher or something and not a confused lil' blue dog.

[Spazito]

26. I am not at all surprised you think it is "good" n/t

[omega minimo]

29. Good bye. nt

:puke:

[Subdivisions]

34. Speak up, chickenshit. n/t

[Lorien]

86. Over the top gun nut Tim

no need to say more.

[YOY]

95. You know...I called him back to answer for his words.

He's busy. He has to work.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6560357&mesg_id=6560536

Just so you know.

[TheWraith]

42. Huh?

I don't agree with MM about everything he says--I think he's a little too attached to the thing that a lot of "activists" are, namely stunts over substance--but I'm not wishing he gives up documentaries. Even though I wouldn't cry if he went back into fiction, because I loved Canadian Bacon.

[MH1]

49. If he starts doing highly successful feature films that get the same message across

but in a more accessible way with broader reach.

Yes, in that case it would be very good. :)

[HughBeaumont]

76. Hit and runners are awesome.

:eyes:

[Lorien]

"Bowling for Columbine" struck a nerve, didn't it Tim01?

[Warpy]

2. Moore is underestimating himself, I think

After all, this is the first time in 100 years that Congress hasn't simply groaned and buried all discussion on health insurance reform. I have to think "Sicko" played a part in having the public recognize we have a real problem in this country and pressuring those comfortable old boys to pass something in the way of reform, even if we know they will invariably pass the wrong thing.

Congress has been blocking health insurance reform for 100 years, so Moore shouldn't feel like a failure since they're trying to do their best to kill it now to keep their gravy train rolling. Because of his effort, a lot of people got a quick education on what's wrong here and what's right in the rest of the world and those people are not going to accept half measures quietly.

Moore's film is one reason we're finally getting those old boys to act.

[pitohui]

64. i think so too

i also like his unique collage style of film making and how he somehow always finds a way to top himself

i never would have thought of the cool idea of taking the 911 injured to gitmo and then into cuba, that was a terrific piece of film making -- and it put his own ass on the line

i don't know who else is quite in his league, other than the fitzcarraldo guy (blocking the name for the moment)

[yodoobo]

67. I think he is overestimating himself actually

His movies are awesome and make a real difference.

But if he really thought that society would instantly change because he made an effective documentary, then he vastly overestimated his power as a mortal person.

[lunatica]

3. I think he's done a great job of speaking for us against the Powers That Be

I hope he reconsiders. Losing his voice would be like Al Gore going silent. Then what would ever get done in the uphill battle we're waging?

[fascisthunter]

6. keep up the fight

[gmoney]

7. Let's just hope he doesn't start work on "Canadian Bacon 2"

Wow, did the first one suck... and I SO wanted to like it.

I like his feature-length docs overall, but I think his TV shows were kind of half-assed, too. Tried way too hard to be funny, and generally failed. He could learn a LOT from The Daily Show/Colbert.

[KittyWampus]

14. An awful lot of the Daily Show falls flat too. I loved his tv show and wish he'd produce stuff.

[el_bryanto]

19. To be fair, I think the Daily Show and Colbert learned a lot from him

But then again I liked both his TV shows. And certainly they refined their approaches and smoothed out the rough edges (not necessarily a good thing, but necessary for TV success).

Bryant

[Bluenorthwest]

21. I love Canadian Bacon.

And TV Nation. So that evens it out.

[DavidDvorkin]

24. Me, too. Very entertaining movie.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

36. I loved Canadian Bacon.

Maybe I'm in a minority here, but I thought it was hysterical....and that was even before I really knew about Michael Moore.

"R.J. Hacker has bought the farm, e-i-e-i-o."

[Generic Other]

50. Surrender pronto or we level toronto!

Canadian Bacon rulz!

[BobRossi]

9. Not enough money in it for him.

Time to go for the real dough.

[fascisthunter]

11. if that's what you want to think... your choice really

I base my opinion on the mans work itself.

[JTFrog]

13. Wonder why he said the opposite recently.

He said he's made enough millions that he doesn't need investors or backers for his films anymore.

:shrug:

[Bluenorthwest]

16. Fahrenheit 9/11

Was made for about 6 million dollars and had grossed over 220 million last time I looked, and that has been a few years. It made more than any documentary in history. Mike got far richer from that film than he ever expected to be, or needed to be or could have imagined in his wildest fantasies.

[wicket]

17. Which is why he released his last movie for free on the internet?

:shrug:

[cherokeeprogressive]

51. Which movie would that be? n/t

http://michaelmoore.com/books-films/index.php

[Luminous Animal]

56. Slacker uprising.

You can still download it for free. It's right there on the page you linked.

[wicket]

59. Thank-you

:hi:

[wicket]

58. Slacker Uprising

n/t

[kenfrequed]

22. Care to friggin elaborate?

If you would?

I mean at least the guy puts his money where his mouth is and tries to get a good message out that supports the people.

Perhaps he should sign on to a Franciscan order and work only with equipment that he can use for free from the public library. Maybe he can distribute his video at bake sales.

It's sort of this quandry that ONLY right wing lassiez faire style Randroid jerks hold him to. "If your gonna knock on the system you can't use anything inside the system to communicate it"

[omega minimo]

31. Who are these HATERS?

:wow:

No respect. No fucking gratitude.

[redqueen]

39. .

lulz

[avaistheone1]

45. Michael Moore has never been in it for the money.

His most recent film capitalism is a testament to that, as well as his body of work.

[Zoeisright]

75. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

You wish you lived as well and made as much money as Michael Moore does.

[Lorien]

87. It's always about the money for Freepers, isn't it?

Never mind that he leaked "Sicko" onto the internet before it's release so people could see it for FREE.

[KittyWampus]

15. I think he could do great things as a Producer and shepherding projects through from others who need

an advocate.

[Laelth]

23. This is important. He has been a voice for the truth for a long time.

If he's looking for a career change, I have an idea for him. I want him to use his well-deserved fortune to build for the left a media empire to rival Fox, including a 24/7 cable news channel that claims to be "fair and balanced" but that always advances the left's agenda.

I hope he will consider it.

Regardless, I thank him for his commitment to the truth and to the American people. He is a true hero.

:patriot:

:dem:

-Laelth

[omega minimo]

33. Look at how he's being treated in this thread.

It's a great idea, for someone that wants to collaborate with "the left" or "centrists" or "Democrats" or whoever.

Like he said, no one listens to the warnings ahead of time.

[flamingdem]

25. MIcheal Moore is a genius, and he cares nt

[comtec]

27. I think he's tired

He's LITERALLY the only one doing these movies the way he's doing them.

Rodger and me was as low-budget as it gets... yet everyone has seen it, or at least knows about it.

If someone says "there are others" my response is simple... where are they?
How did Moore manage to get such acclaim with his documentaries with such low budgets, while other haven't?

He has a talent that will be horribly lost.

Other may make 911 movies, or movies about the evils of the current health care system... but they do it in such a way that rejects the real audience that NEEDS to see these.

Moore, makes movies people watch, EVERYONE watches them. He really does try to be neutral in his movies, even though his point is clear.

People making those "other" movies need to seriously look at the work M.M. does and try to emulate his relatively fair style, and not TRY to repulse the people they really need to get a hold of.

I don't blame him. It's hard work... and for what? at what point is it OK to give up? at what point do you HAVE to give up for the sake of your own sanity?

[Echo In Light]

38. At a certain human level, one shrugs and concedes that people are their own worst enemy

[liberalmike27]

44. I think You've Got it

He's tired, he's tried hard, people are so stupid as to not listen at times to facts, and the whole infrastructure of the media is set against him, to demonize whatever he says, like Wendell Potter commented about CIGNA's very organized objection to him.

Centrist democrats don't understand that in the tug-of-war between the only two parties, standing in the middle leaves you in the mud. The mud has no traction, and once you are there, it makes it much easier for the republicans to keep on yanking that rope, dragging you up on their side, and at some point you may be able to stop the political spectrum from sliding ever further to the right. But if you ever want to move back to being on that left bank, you've got to get back through the mud, which as we've seen of late, with a full 60 Senators, and 2/3 of the House, and a Democratic preident not being enough, takes one hell of an advantage.

Centrists need to realize that if they want to end up in the center, they need to start voting for, and believing in the far left. Put the power into the hands of those still left on the left-hand bank, at the end of the rope.

[SIMPLYB1980]

37. Kinda sad and,

and kinda glad at the same time.

[janet118]

40. This is how the left treats its heroes . . .

If he were a right wing documentary maker who were able to produce the high-quality, entertaining films that Michael has made, he would be honored with a Medal of Freedom and lots of highly paid speaker engagements. The left eats its own.

[Annces]

43. he won't quit - making documentaries is who he is

he is too vibrant to just do nothing.

[cherokeeprogressive]

47. As the clock ticks over to 15:01, 15:02, 15:03...

Was Andy Warhol right?

Sounds to me that Mr. Moore is frustrated that his documentaries aren't making more money than they are, and that his latest diatribe was ignored in Cannes.

Which would belie the commonly held belief that he's ONLY in the film making business because he "cares".

[Spazito]

52. I know! After all, everyone in the 'film making business' puts their...

product on the net where it is FREE to stream, right? FREE streaming is THE money maker, right?

Your post is asinine but not surprising.

[Gabi Hayes]

77. ha...exactly. is there some sort of meaning for 'cherokee' of which I'm unaware, like, say:

'the opposite of'?

?

[Generic Other]

Oh for fuck's sake!

He's an Oscar-winning director. He's made millions. He gave away SICKO as a free download on the web. He is a major liberal voice hated by the rightwing who will do anything to discredit him including sending shills to DU to pile on him. Are you one of those? Otherwise, why pick on our own? Aren't there more rotten carcasses on the right you can sink your fangs into?

[Luminous Animal]

53. His latest movie wasn't shown in Cannes.

[cherokeeprogressive]

60. My mistake. I was thinking Venice and typed Cannes. n/t

[robertpaulsen]

81. And far from being ignored, Capitalism: A Love Story won two awards at Venice. n/t

[cherokeeprogressive]

82. I couldn't find it listed with the 66th Venice Intl Film Festival Official Awards

Official Awards

The 66th Venice International Film Festival ran 2nd to 12th September 2009.
The International Juries awarded the following prizes:

Venezia 66
- Golden Lion for best film: Lebanon by Samuel MAOZ (Israel, France, Germany)
- Silver Lion for best director: Shirin NESHAT for the film Zanan Bedone Mardan (Women Without Men) (Germany, Austria, France)
- Special Jury Prize: Soul Kitchen by Fatih AKIN (Germany)
- Coppa Volpi for Best Actor: Colin FIRTH in the film A Single Man by Tom FORD (USA)
- Coppa Volpi for Best Actress: Ksenia RAPPOPORT in the film La doppia ora by Giuseppe CAPOTONDI (Italy)
- “Marcello Mastroianni” Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress: Jasmine TRINCAin the film Il grande sogno by Michele PLACIDO (Italy)
- "Osella" for Best Technical Contribution: Sylvie OLIVÉ for the film Mr. Nobody by Jaco VAN DORMAEL (France)
- "Osella" for Best Screenplay: Todd SOLONDZ for the film Life during Wartime by Todd SOLONDZ (USA)


Orizzonti
- Orizzonti Prize to Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno (Philippines)
- Orizzonti Prize for Best documentary to 1428 by DU Haibin (China)
- Special Mention to Aadmi ki aurat aur anya kahaniya (The Man’s Woman and Other Stories) by Amit Dutta (India)


Controcampo Italiano
Controcampo Italiano Prize to: Cosmonauta by Susanna NICCHIARELLI (Italy)
Kodak will offer to the awarded director 40,000 euros in negative film stock - 35 or 16mm, chosen by the winner - to shoot a new feature film.
- Special Mention: Negli occhi by Daniele ANZELLOTTI and Francesco DEL GROSSO (Italy)


Corto Cortissimo (Prizes awarded on 10th September 2009)

- Corto Cortissimo Lion for Best Short Film to Eersgeborene (First Born) by Etienne Kallos (South Africa, USA)
- Venice Nomination to the European Film Awards 2009 to Sinner by Meni Philip (Israel)
- Special Mention to Felicità by Salomé Aleksi (Georgia)


“Luigi De Laurentiis” Award for a Debut Film
- Lion of the Future – “Luigi De Laurentiis” Venice Award for a Debut Film to Engkwentro by Pepe DIOKNO (Philippines) - ORIZZONTI
as well as a prize of 100,000 USD, donated by Filmauro, to be divided equally between director and producer



Persol 3-D Award for the Best 3-D Stereoscopic Film of the Year (Prize awarded on 11th September 2009)
- Persol 3-D Award: The Hole by Joe Dante (USA)


Jaeger-Le Coultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award
to Sylvester Stallone

[robertpaulsen]

85. On la Biennale di Venezia

http://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/news/collateral.html

Michael Moore doesn't sound too frustrated by the reception:


The film is now completed and we left our world premiere at the Venice Film Festival with two of its prizes! "Capitalism: A Love Story" won the Leoncino d'Oro award, given to one film each year by a jury of young adults in Venice (they call it their "youth prize," meaning we were the top film among the young people at the festival). We were also awarded The Open Prize, given to the film that best honors the art of cinema (a group of Italian artists participating in the Venice Biennale hand out this cherished prize).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-moore/from-toronto-to-pittsburg_b_287730.html

[Auggie]

48. He can still work issues into fictional films

[Festivito]

55. DU still has a lot of PAID OPERATIVES about, and-or people who don't realize this.

MM made SICKO! and he needs to be ridiculed in order to save the 1.5T$ sicko industry that denies us health care so RepubliCONs can rake big profits, and donate/invest part of those profits to lobbyists and our elected-by-commercial-media politicians.

It pays to pay people to post on the internet. A lot is at stake. A lot.

[Deja Q]

61. Well, it's nice to know some of us don't like his wares. Fiction is a better genre to begin with...

Engenders more creativity. Right wing, left wing, or the entire chicken, some people just prefer allegory over being talked down at.

On the radio this morning, it was claimed by some hollywood guy (Mike Evans) that George Clooney didn't care for Moore's "Capitalism". If I can find a proper news link, I'll happily relay that too.

Two years ago, Moore also ranted when people pirated a movie:

“Every filmmaker intends for his film to be seen on the big screen; This wasn’t a guy taking a video camera into a theater. This was an inside job, a copy made from a high-quality master and could potentially impact the opening weekend boxoffice. Who do you think benefits from that?”

I think Moore later put the movie up for free downloading...

http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/michael_moore_changes_his_tune_about_piracy_becomes_big_giant_hypocrite/


I will remind Mike Moore of this: With money comes power. Mike gloats about the money he'd made. He can keep making big movies for himself or he can actually donate it to causes that actually do something... of course, if anything changed he wouldn't have anything to make money off of anymore...

[ShortnFiery]

63. Yes, "Q" has spoken. We can all rest easy.

:eyes:

[yodoobo]

65. Moore seems to be overestimating his power

He seems frustrated that entire world didn't line up and scramble and toe the line based on his movies.

That is some massive ego.

Its disappointing, because Moore makes GREAT movies that have great messages and he does make difference. A real difference.

But dude. Your not God. Societal movements occur slowly.

So now, because society didn't do a 180 on each of his movies, he wants to take his bat and got home?

Come on.

[Luminous Animal]

79. Ah, no. He seems frustrated with himself.

That 20 years of work exposing the powers that be has wrought so little. Perhaps he wants to take his bat and play in a different game. One where he will find more satisfaction from his efforts.

[yodoobo]

83. Well ya....

He does seem frustrated with himself.

I think anyone would be frustrated if they truly believed that they alone could turn the world around and then failed to do so.

Its a bit much to expect from yourself.

Did he turn it around? No, but he did nudge the course a little - Which is a massive achievement for a single individual.

being disappointed for not entirely reshaping society is like being disappointed that you cannot will the sun not to rise.

[Luminous Animal]

94. Mike's films & books are political activism.

It is amazing that he's maintained his enthusiasm this long. There is a high burnout rate in activism. I don't think he's disappointed that he hasn't entirely reshaped society. I think he's disappointed that he hasn't been able to do enough by his own standards. He's probably doing some soul searching and figuring out what's next for him. A more effective way to use his talents, wealth, & influence. He is 55 years old, you know. People tend to take an inventory of their lives at mid-life.

[Lorien]

89. No, I think that he's frustrated by US and the system

we're not out there fighting for our own survival. We can't leave the battle up to a handful of people like Moore.

[restless native]

66. Well, he's a creative guy, but we still need his activist journalism!

C'mon, Mike! Stick around!

[Vidar]

68. Too bad, though I can certainly understand burnout.

[windoe]

71. I wish he had run for office.

HIs type are nearly unrepresented in government, someone who would champion the working class, labor laws and fair practices by companies. I am grateful for the work he has done to educate and inform Americans when they would otherwise be misinformed by the M$M. His work helped Democrats win in the last election.

[Barack_America]

72. Love his documentaries, but I can do without his histrionics. nt

[redqueen]

84. I think his histrionics are needed... makes the documentaries more engaging.

Many people find dry documentaries boring, and will tune out. You can almost see their eyes glaze over...

[cynatnite]

73. I love his work and I hope he doesn't stop. n/t

[Wizard777]

88. This announcement will be followed by 7 more I Quit documentaries.

Before reaching the I really mean it this time documentary. Hell Ozzy Osbourne has been retiring from rock & roll and doing farewell tours for about 20 years now. I enjoyed the No More Tours tour and all the ones that came after it. Ozzy will drop dead on stage in the middle of Crazy Train. I think Ozzy and his fans will be disappointed if he doesn't.

[Lagomorph]

90. He's rich, he can quit if he wants to.

Note to Michael:

Many of us tried, but we watched all our friends go to work for the multi-national corporations. They work all day to destroy us, then give us props all night for "fighting the man".

[Occam Bandage]

91. I'm not certain if he's a net positive or a net negative for our side.

On one hand, movies like Sicko, F911, and BfC served as great conversation-starters for important issues. On the other hand, from time to time he's indulged in rhetorical excesses that have tainted his credibility, and on occasion he's fueled unnecessary infighting and tent-shrinking by unfairly targeting moderates. I think he's probably a net positive, but for nearly every time I've applauded him there's been a time he made me cringe.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

92. Right wingers hate him because they can't refute his facts.

The facts have an inconvenient liberal bias.

I remember that he said he had three lawyers who represent The New Yorker (the best libel/slander lawyers in the business, IOW) go over "Sicko" with a fine toothed comb.

He's like Kitty Kelley -- everything is backed up and researched meticulously, and some people hate it because it's TRUE. He has never been successfully sued for libel and neither has Kitty Kelley. They do their homework.

[Occam Bandage]

93. To an extent, yes. All brash political figures are hated by their opposition.

It's true he's never successfully been sued for libel. The same can be said of Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh, so I'm not sure what the point is there. Do you hate Limbaugh because you can't refute his facts?