Michael Moore

Interview: Michael Moore on Detroit, Obama, Health Care, ‘Capitalism: A Love Story’

BrianTT — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:44:52 -0600

CHICAGO – One of the most divisive filmmakers in the history of the medium recently sat down with me for a very exclusive one-on-one interview. The free-flowing conversation went all over the sociopolitical map, discussing the accomplishments of President Obama in his first eight months, the salvage-ability of Detroit, the health care debate, and his new movie “Capitalism: A Love Story”.

“Capitalism: A Love Story” focuses on several aspects of our current economic crisis, pointing fingers at both Democrats and Republicans, but mostly the big business that has been allowed to run rampant with bad mortgage loans and government bail-outs. To Moore, the film is still mostly about economics and the problems with our current system.

Capitalism: A Love Story
Photo credit: Overture Films

Moore says, “This was my challenge with this film. After twenty years of this, I didn’t want to do the same thing. “Where’s the next issue? The next bad guy?” How about I do a film on economic theory but made it interesting, exciting, damning, funny, and all of that and get people to see it on a Friday night? Is that possible? I’m so proud of this film. I think it’s possible for a filmmaker to take any subject and construct a good film around it or about it.”

Capitalism: A Love Story
Photo credit: Overture Films

Being from the Flint area and with what has happened to the auto industry needing to be such a major part of “Capitalism: A Love Story,” the conversation opened with a discussion of the shattered city of Detroit, one that Moore himself admits may be too far down the road to be saved. And if it is, well, “Every century has its ghost towns. The way Michigan is right now, the chance of it getting worse is great.”

What Detroit needs, according to Moore, is “real jobs. Not casino jobs. Real jobs.” It’s a solution for the entire country. He continues, “I think people should see Detroit as the canary in the coal mine. We should have seen that a long time ago. That’s what I’m saying. It may be a little late now. Not just for Detroit, but for other places as well. We need some leadership. We need some people with vision. Obviously, Pittsburgh was a horrible place and then somebody had some vision. But there are not a lot of those people. I’ve come to learn that. You always think there’s a whole lot. Twenty years ago, I thought there’d be a lot of documentaries like mine being made right now. I’m kind of surprised that there aren’t.”

With a movie as current as “Capitalism,” there’s naturally a concern that the issues could change while it’s being delivered to your local AMC theater. When asked if he worries about locking the film in too early, he says, “A little bit. Because I’m really dealing with a more general issue and not a specific incident, then I don’t really have to worry about it that much. It is a problem with documentary filmmakers. With Hoop Dreams, where do you stop the story? We get into that a little bit. But at some point you have to say, “Here’s the movie. Here’s the story I’m going to tell.” I work on the film right up until the end. I was working on it five hours until I went up to Venice. The sound. I couldn’t really change picture.”

Capitalism: A Love Story
Photo credit: Overture Films

A major focus of the film is the conflict surrounding the word socialism, a hot-button subject that lit on fire when it became the focus of what Obama said to Joe the Plumber - “…he was essentially describing the basic tenet of socialism - spread the wealth around. So they just didn’t make it up.”

But conservatives like Glenn Beck jumped on the concept of socialism “Because they thought people would respond to the “BOO!” You know, they forgot statistics and that humans don’t live forever. Anyone who was sixty and voted for Reagan in 1980 is DEAD. They’d have to be ninety. There’s some. A few. But, basically, they’re all gone. So all the “Cold Warriors,” all the people of that age who helped put Reagan in office, they’re gone. Young people, when you go “Socialism,” it’s not “Boo!”. It’s “Hmmmm…””

“It doesn’t work and they get all defensive about capitalism. Those are two words that we never heard in normal discourse until this past year. And it’s REALLY helped the film. Here, I was going to use them when they weren’t being used and, all of a sudden, four months into the film, they start using them. I’m going, “Here’s a gift.””

Moore understands the concerns and criticism about what Obama has (or, more accurately, has not) accomplished in his first nine months in office, saying that “It should be more like “Yes We Will”” than the infamous “Yes We Can”.

He explains his feelings about the frustration, “Well, that’s because we were SO exhausted after eight years and everybody just wanted change immediately. But we know what the reality is. We’ve got the best guy we can get in there right now. He’s a smart guy. He comes from the working class. He’s gonna do right by us. I believe.”

Capitalism: A Love Story
Photo credit: Overture Films

Now that he’s done with “Capitalism: A Love Story,” Michael Moore plans to get back into the debate surrounding health care. “I’ll try and get it revved up. They revved it up on the other side. Didn’t take much really. Took Glenn Beck really. A few other crazy people. They’re the minority. We’re the majority. The New York Times today - two-thirds want this public option. Seventy-five percent want some form of health care. Fifty-one percent support single payer. What’s going on? Obama’s mistake here is that he started with a compromise position. You don’t start with a compromise. You start with what you want. Then you get the base excited. No one’s going to get excited about the public option. You’re not going to have demonstrations - “Yeah! Public option!””

Before he left, Moore discussed a bit about his concerns for safety - the studio is more worried than he is about the death threats but he was more scared after his controversial Oscar speech for “Fahrenheit 9/11” - and even promised to do what he can to get “TV Nation” out on DVD.

Ultimately, Michael Moore is the kind of interview subject where hardly any amount of time would be enough to cover all the potential subjects. That’s what his movies are for. Love him, hate him, Michael Moore isn’t going anywhere and, on both sides of the debate, people that passionate are essential to the public discourse. Join in the discussion and see “Capitalism: A Love Story,” opening today, October 2nd, 2009, in Chicago.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: 25 Passes to Michael Moore’s ‘Capitalism: A Love Story’ in Chicago

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:05:28 -0600

CHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 25 admit-two run-of-engagement Chicago passes up for grabs to the new Michael Moore film “Capitalism: A Love Story”! “Capitalism: A Love Story” is written and directed by Michael Moore. Moore has also helmed “Sicko,” “Fahrenheit 9/11,” “Bowling for Columbine” and “Roger & Me”.

To win your free pass to “Capitalism: A Love Story” in Chicago courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, all you need to do is tell us what you think about U.S. capitalism in this Web-based submission form. That’s it! “Capitalism: A Love Story” opens in Chicago on Oct. 2, 2009. Directions to enter this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup and immediately win can be found beneath the graphic below.

The movie poster for Michael Moore’s “Capitalism: A Love Story”.
Image credit: Overture Films

Here is the plot description for “Capitalism: A Love Story”:

On the 20-year anniversary of his groundbreaking masterpiece “Roger & Me,” Michael Moore’s “Capitalism: A Love Story” comes home to the issue he has been examining throughout his career: the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and, by default, the rest of the world).

But this time, the culprit is much bigger than General Motors and the crime scene far wider than Flint, Mich. From Middle America to the halls of power in Washington to the global financial epicenter in Manhattan, Michael Moore will once again take filmgoers into uncharted territory.

With both humor and outrage, Michael Moore’s “Capitalism: A Love Story” explores a taboo question: What is the price that America pays for its love of capitalism? Years ago, that love seemed so innocent. Today, however, the American dream is looking more like a nightmare as families pay the price with their jobs, homes and savings.

Moore takes us into the homes of ordinary people whose lives have been turned upside down. He goes looking for explanations in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere. What he finds are the all-too-familiar symptoms of a love affair gone astray: lies, abuse, betrayal… and 14,000 jobs being lost every day.

“Capitalism: A Love Story” is both a culmination of Moore’s previous works and a look into what a more hopeful future could look like. It is Michael Moore’s ultimate quest to answer the question he has posed throughout his illustrious filmmaking career: Who are we and why do we behave the way we do?

The movie trailer for “Capitalism: A Love Story” can be viewed now below.

To secure your free “Capitalism: A Love Story” pass, you must be logged into your HollywoodChicago.com Web site account. If you don’t yet have one, you can quickly register here. Having a free Web site account with a valid e-mail address is required to win this HollywoodChicago.com Hookup.

Next, simply tell us how you feel about U.S. capitalism. You must submit your answer using this confidential, Web-based submission form. Please do not comment in this Hookup. Your entry will be invalid if you only comment here and don’t submit into our Web-based form. Please only submit your answer using this submission form.

You must include your first and last name, e-mail address and physical mailing address in your submission. Your personal information will not be sold or shared, will be kept strictly confidential and is only for awarding winning entries. Please answer our question below.

How do you feel about U.S. capitalism?

This HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film is simple: 25 HollywoodChicago.com readers will be randomly selected as the winners of our “Capitalism: A Love Story” Hookup! The winners will be mailed the movie passes at our expense. These passes can be used in Chicago on the date of your choice during the film’s run. Good luck!

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief/Publisher
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: Michael Moore Previews in Chicago With Stunt, Teaser Trailer

PatrickMcD — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:43:33 -0600

CHICAGO – Michael Moore, again pushing the hot button, interrupted the scheduled 7:15pm showing of “Pelham 1-2-3” at Chicago’s AMC River East Theater on Friday, June 12th, with a publicity stunt and teaser for his next documentary.

The yet-to-be-titled film, due to open on October 2nd, 2009, obviously will take on the current bailout situation for American companies and banks, and the concurrent exploit in Theater 13 hammered home the point.

Just as the feature presentation (”The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3”) was about to start, the lights suddenly went up and about a dozen promoters stormed the aisles with tee-shirts that read, “Save Our CEOs” shaking canisters in an attempt to collect money.

HollywoodChicago.com had a video camera there, and also obtained a copy of the teaser trailer.

Documentary provocateur Michael Moore’s new film is scheduled to open October 2nd, 2009.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Boisterous Morgan Spurlock on Latest Film ‘Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?’

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:57:38 -0600

CHICAGO – Morgan Spurlock wants to change the world. The creator and filmmaker who took on fast-food giant McDonald’s in his first film (“Super Size Me”) is now taking on the current global war on terror and the image of the most wanted terrorist in his new film “Where in World is Osama Bin Laden?”

Traveling to the “hot spots” in the Middle East including Afghanistan, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Spurlock talks both to the leaders and people of the regions.

Morgan Spurlock in his new documentary “Where in World is Osama Bin Laden?”.
Photo credit: Daniel Marracino, The Weinstein Company

Not only does he light-heartedly search for the elusive Bin Laden but he also tries to promote understanding about why a harmful byproduct like terrorism can emerge from religious and political movements.

HollywoodChicago.com recently interviewed Spurlock about the context of his documentary and also to get an idea of why he approached this particularly complex theme as a subject for a new movie.

“Movies are an incredibly inspiring medium. Movies do have the ability to transcend culture, transcend countries and transcend the barrier of language,” Spurlock said.

He added: “Hopefully through film you can get people to start to think about things in a way they normally wouldn’t. People look at films as an entertaining medium. For me, if you can entertain and get others to think at the same time, then you’re actually accomplishing something pretty great.”

Morgan Spurlock in his new documentary “Where in World is Osama Bin Laden?”.
Photo credit: Daniel Marracino, The Weinstein Company

The trademark in Spurlock’s method is humor. He establishes this early through an animated prologue that describes his impending fatherhood and then morphs into a video-game style that pits him against the evil image of Bin Laden.

“We were about six months into post-production when – in the middle of the night – I got the idea for the video-game look. I thought it just made sense because it was a typical ‘good versus evil’ video-game scenario you experience when playing,” Spurlock related.

“I also wanted a bridge from my generation to the younger generation as well. This style spoke to me. I hope it speaks to others,” Spurlock said. “We started working with Curious Pictures, which developed the popular game ‘Rock Band’. They helped make that video-game look a reality.”

“I wanted to give more voice to the moderates and the ordinary people who usually don’t get a platform. The more we empower those people, the less influence an extremist like Bin Laden has.”

~ Director Morgan Spurlock

In preparation for the trip to the Middle East, Spurlock went through language lessons, booster shots for potential disease and survival training.

“It messed with my head a bit when they started to talk about potential injuries as in: ‘What do you do when you’re shot in the neck?’ When you talk about things like that, it makes you realize you’re going into possible grave situations. It can get a little hairy,” Spurlock said.

And so it was. When going into militarized zones like the Gaza Strip and Afghanistan, there were several dangerous stops along the way. Through it all, though, Spurlock talked to the native people of the areas to get information and understanding about the grip that Bin Laden has put on the world.

“I wanted to give more voice to the moderates and the ordinary people who usually don’t get a platform,” he asserted. “The more we empower those people, the less influence an extremist like Bin Laden has.”

Morgan Spurlock in his new documentary “Where in World is Osama Bin Laden?”.
Photo credit: Daniel Marracino, The Weinstein Company

In mixing with the different countries, Spurlock exposed the control on thought and action that governments and religion have on people. In Saudi Arabia, two adult officials sat in on an interview with 18-year-olds and an orthodox section of Israel wanted him out and his cameras off.

“[The orthodox Israelis] are closed off to outsiders to begin with,” he recounted, “but there was one individual who came up to us and assured that the situation didn’t represent everyone. That one scene speaks volumes for the whole movie – that it’s a small group of radical people who will take aggression to another level.”

Morgan Spurlock in his new documentary “Where in World is Osama Bin Laden?”.
Photo credit: Daniel Marracino, The Weinstein Company

Spurlock chose not to debate politics and noted the extreme factions on both sides of one particular conflict.

“The bigger picture of what I wanted to do was paint a portrait of what people have to face on an everyday basis,” Spurlock said.

He added: “[I exposed] the people in Palestine who live within walls and have to go through multiple checkpoints just to get home to the everyday people in Israel who have to live under the threat of bombs – and even bombs shot from Gaza falling from the sky.”

It’s a valiant thesis as a movie and is another in a long string of rational “why can’t we just get along?” propositions. It’s also frustrating to realize we live in a world of Bin Ladens.

This has perpetuated the U.S. to wage war when the average citizens of the conflicted regions simply want peace for their children.

Spurlock dedicated his film of peace, love and understanding to his new, 16-month-old son. He concluded: “The goal for me was to try and create a forward-thinking movie – a movie that would ask the question: ‘Where do we go from here?’”

“Where in World is Osama Bin Laden?” opens on April 18, 2008. In Chicago, the film will show at AMC River East, Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema, Landmark’s Renaissance Place Cinema and Century 12 Evanston.

More From the Mind of Morgan Spurlock

On fellow documentary maker Michael Moore:

“The one thing about Michael – and people can say what they want about him – but whenever he makes a movie, he creates a topic that immediately becomes headlines on newspapers, magazine covers and broadcast news. To be able to generate a dialogue about a topic just from a movie is tremendous influence.”

On “Super Size Me” and its influence:

“The film caused a lot of people to look at their business practices. Even more important, McDonald’s eliminated super-sized options and came out with a lot of healthier menu items. What was really satisfying was how individuals wanted to change their diets.

I meet people every day who show me old pictures of themselves and say: ‘This used to be me. I lost 100 pounds because after seeing your film I changed the whole way I ate.’ It’s an amazing little film for what it did. I’m astounded by it every day.”

On whether he has eaten at McDonald’s since and if his son will ever go there:

“I haven’t been back to a McDonald’s since March 2, 2003 where we had a party for my final meal there. When my son – who is being raised in a vegan household – is ready for a real hamburger and a real milkshake, there are so many better places to take him to.”

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com