Michael Moore's Cannes Award

**smokey the elder** · 05-23-2004, 07:13 AM

Michael Moore received the Palme d'Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival for his documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11. I know very little about this film, other than Disney will not allow Miramax, its subsidiary, to screen it. I hate it when corporations can get around the First Amendment like that. Two Mirimax execs are trying to raise money to buy the film outright, and distribute it.

I don't know what it's about, but if it's a Michael Moore piece, you know it's going to be abrasive, probably offensive, and definitely thought-provoking!

**Karen** · 05-23-2004, 07:54 AM

I wonder if the "controversy" over Disney "not distributing" was all part of a publicity ploy on the part of Michael Moore, and perhaps Disney, too. I'll probably see it anyway, though I was very disappointed with "Bowling for Columbine," with all its self-contradicting anf half-truths.

**Lady's Human** · 05-23-2004, 04:54 PM

There is no first amendment issue in play here. A company has the right to do what it wants with its property, and if they want to eat the loss rather than distribute something they feel may hurt its business, so be it. The first amendment involves government censorship, not what a corporation does.

While Disney's refusal to distribute the film on the surface is an attempt at good corporate citizenship during an election year, I would personally take their claims with a huge grain of salt.

If I want something thought provoking I'll pick up a new book. I refuse to spend money and support Mr. Moore.

Michael Moore is to documentary as politician is to truth.

**2kitties** · 05-23-2004, 08:05 PM

^^^what she said^^^

**smokey the elder** · 05-24-2004, 04:38 PM

*yahbut*...I think a public corporation should follow SOME of the rules.

I've tilted at this windmill before; there are a LOT of things corporations get away with that bug me, but I don't want to hijack my own thread.

**Lady's Human** · 05-24-2004, 05:12 PM

The first amendment applies strictly, and applies only to government actions. It starts with Congress shall make no laws. Not corporations shall make no laws. If a private citizen or corporation supplies money to do something and the result turns out to be something other than what they wanted, they should not be forced to publish it.

**RICHARD** · 05-24-2004, 05:17 PM

It was reported that the Moore was given a 25 minute standing ovation for his 'award' ...

It was also reported that the applause went on so long because the audience was trying to keep him from making his acceptance speech....

**leslie flenner** · 05-26-2004, 09:44 PM

On npr tonight there was a one hour interview with someone who had reviewed the movie (of course i can't think of his name) and is politically on top of things and has met mm. It is not abrasive. it is a tear- jerker. mm got a hold of a video last dec. (from a reporter) from a prison in Iraq (not any of the prisons we have heard about in recent days) that shows american soldiars abusing iraqy prisoners. This is several months before the public was told about this pattern among the prisons there. What is remarkable about this particular film is that it is not antagonistic against Americans in any way. The movie follows a family who lost a son in Iraq, the son's father had served in the Gulf war. They live in Flint, MI, MM's home town. The woman reads her son's letters, first thanking her for sending the bible, candy, etc, later telling her he's in Iraq for no reason, "He (Bush) has us here for no reason, I am so furious mama". There are footages of Bush prior to making his speech re: 911 attacks, and discussion re: his continuing to read to the children in the classroom an additional 7 minutes after learning about the first attack on America. Also some discussion on America giving money to Al Queda (we gave funds to Afganistan who allegedly passed this down to terrorists in Al Queda). Anyway, this is said to be unlike any of his previous films. very supportive of soldiars and mentioned in the interview is that the more republicans debunk the film, the better it will do with the public. I was unable to listen to the entire hour (grocery shopping) but caught most of it.

**Grace** · 05-28-2004, 05:29 PM

MM was told a year ago by Disney that they would not be involved with distributing this film. He admitted to that in CNN interview.

He was simply engaging in a cheap publicity trick to up the ante on his film.

**Corinna** · 05-28-2004, 06:46 PM

I heard he did the same hatcet job as on the Colimbine story.

**RICHARD** · 06-07-2004, 01:04 PM

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/ar...TICLE_ID=38776

Yikes!!!!!

This story made me laugh.....and, of course, I have to side with Bradbury on this one.....I have never seen MM with a cat in his arms....

**DJFyrewolf36** · 06-07-2004, 01:14 PM

This guy seems like he is winning points left and right...

Everything I read labels him as an idiot...

**Lady's Human** · 06-07-2004, 05:24 PM

Mr. Moore is no idiot. Like Joseph Goebbels (I'm sorry, Goebbels is just the most immediate example who comes to mind, there were also excellent Soviet propoganda writers in the same period), he is a brilliant propogandist, but too many confuse his propoganda with truth. He is also a brilliant self promoter, as shown by his "news" that Disney was going to "censor" his Farenheight 9/11 film by not releasing it, just in time for a media build up prior to Cannes. The reality is that Disney had told him long before that it wasn't going to release his film. He is a brilliant editor, shaping statements and taking them out of context to support his ideas. Stupid, not at all. Truthful? Not at all.

**DJFyrewolf36** · 06-08-2004, 03:07 PM

I admittedly don't know a lot about the guy. I do agree, he seems to be good at calling attention to himself. My hubby always says "Any publicity is good publicity" And I guess people caling him an "idiot" are still gaining him attention...Which I guess thats what he wants right?