Hot Ticket
Published June 26, 2004
No, you can't call Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 fair and balanced. You can call the documentary, which turns the heat up full-blast under George W. Bush and his cronies, a blistering attack that stirs the emotions and makes the case that the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. deserves an eviction notice.
Conservatives (and liberals such as Vanity Fair columnist Christopher Hitchens) are loudly condemning the film and its writer-producer-director. Moore is a liar, they say — the information he provides is bogus, the film is not a true documentary and is wholly subjective, Moore's tactics for obtaining footage and information are underhanded and sleazy, his conclusions (and Moore himself) are insane, the way in which he depicts his "bad guys" is cruel, and — oh yeah — Moore is fat, slovenly, and lazy and should be silenced.
The conservatives and naysayers have one thing right: Fahrenheit 9/11 is anything but objective. But so what? The documentary — and it is one — presents facts that can not be refuted about a particular subject: the sins of the Bush gang, its violence, and its negative effects on the US and the world. And it does so masterfully.
Moore skillfully interweaves archival news footage, video shot in Iraq and Afghanistan, and person-on-the-street interviews with his running commentary, a smattering of laugh-out-loud humor, and a number of moments that alarm, enrage, or generate tears.
In one scene, Moore takes us into a Flint, MI, shopping mall to show just how low Death Brigade recruiters will go to lure poor people — the very people treated like dirt by Bush administration policies and in the 2000 presidential race — into joining the military. Later, we see US soldiers humiliating their captives and showing their — and by extension, their leaders' — lack of compassion for "the other."
In another series of scenes, Moore contrasts the true horror of the September 11 attacks against the almost surreal reaction of the Shrub when he receives the news that the World Trade Center has been hit while reading to a group of schoolchildren. We don't get to see the actual attacks; Moore cleverly plays the audio of that fateful morning in New York over a black screen and lets viewers replay their own visual recollections of that chilling day in their minds. We do see Bush, however, sitting with a book in his hands, an unsettling look of "what the hell do I do now" on his face as long minutes tick by.
Natalie Davis is an award-winning journalist, progressive- and GLBT-issues activist, musician and broadcaster. Davis' All Facts and Opinions - The Armchair Activist has existed since 1996. She is general manager and program/music director of Grateful Dread Radio, an 11-year-old multigenre Internet station dedicated to presenting diverse sounds for open minds.
- Hot Ticket
- Published: June 26, 2004
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- Writer: Natalie Davis
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Comments on this articleComments
I am so sick of hearing about the damn "rape rooms" as IF that was one of the major reasons why the Bush Administration chose to invade Iraq.
And funny how the name of who we are supposed to be scare of is always changing. First is was Osama, then it was Saddam, now it's Al Zaquawri.
Tell ya what... if you are so worried about "rape rooms", when are you going to contact your senator and demand the invasion of Thailand or Cambodia where CHILD PROSTITUTION is RAMPANT. I mean, don't you care that THOUSANDS OF YOUNG GIRLS AND BOYS ARE RAPED MULTIPLE TIMES DAILY FOR MONEY in Thailand? Cambodia? Children as young as three. Its not like its only a few, or not common... Hell, convicted pedophile, Garry Glitter knew where to go when he got deported from Canada to keep engaging in his passion for "young meat."
Or do you think the "millions" of Thai and Cambodeans wouldn't be as happy as the Iraqis?
Here is the deal. The hard core facts are real and well researched. They are mixed with Michael Moore's point of view.
When viewing this film keep that in mind. The factual information is very true and right on. Don't let Mr. Moore's spin confuse the reality.
With that in mind, this is a great film deserving a standing ovation.
peaceloveguidance
With that in mind, this is a great film deserving a standing ovation.
peaceloveguidance
Just like people gave standing ovations to the "great films" by Joseph Goebbels.
And by that I mean propaganda with the intent to stir the masses into a certain way of thinking, to an audience which basically is on the same page philosophically.
And by that I mean propaganda with the intent to stir the masses into a certain way of thinking...
I see...
So leading the American people to believe that Iraq had something to do with 9/11 is not propaganda?
I haven't seen the movie yet. I can't wait to see it. My only problem with the whole thing, at least my fear of the whole thing because I haven't seen it yet, is that some truth goes out the window in order to make a point. I don't trust Rush Limbaugh who will do anything to further his agenda and I don't trust Michael Moore who will apparently do the same.
It still should be an interesting movie.
Also, I am not sure why Republicans are so upset over this whole thing. At this point all it is going to do is preach to the choir. I really doubt that many people are going to go to see this movie and have their minds changed. It is going to be more people who already agree with Moore's conclusions.
I saw it yesterday.
If you have been keeping up with events then its old news. However, considering the fact that most americans have been tuned into "reality TV", it might be of use to them.
Are you telling me not to watch Survivor? Damn, I don't know if I could live without the ever compelling television created by Jeff Probst and company. (Sarcasm)
My expectations for Farenheit are that it will be entertaining and touching as he is a VERY good filmmaker, but that I definitely shouldn't trust it word for word because, well, he is a very good filmmaker and this is not objective at all.
I wish he would make some more non-documentary types of movies.
I agree that if he made actual true documentaries or regular movies he would be very good. After all Canadian Bacon was a tremendously well received movie. JK. :p
regarding CL's (comment #9) about 'preaching to the chior", that may be partially true. But Bush has ended up being a 'divider' during his tenure. So what we have right now is this huge swing vote available to influence. They could make the difference in an election outcome.
peaceloveguidance
Tom (comment #5), applaud to Joseph Goebbel's films. Well, that is politics and social movement. Be it Hitler or the Republican Party followers. hhhmmm...kinda the same thing. The 'liberal' side of things need that sort of unity and energy to make any change. Or have the strength to adjust the Republican power. It is what we need to get democracy back on track in this country. Some Republicans should be Democrats and vice versa. And some from both parties should be some whole different party. Anyway...
peaceloveguidance
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/16854)
You don't even know what the hell you are talking about when you call this administration an inhumane administration. All Bush and his "Cronies" have done is free millions of people from bondage, and protect you and your family from people like Al Zaquawri who want you dead simply because you are an American, and who no doubt would nuke an entire American city just for fun.
Let me clarify some of your action points:
(Those five things:
Get behind the national voter-registration effort
Including, but not limited to homeless people and people who have been dead for years. Use Mayor Daley's Chicago as an example
Raise hell about Halliburton's war profiteering
After first finding out what the hell Halliburton does. Don't worry about seeing the irony in complaining about American jobs going overseas while trying to stop Halliburton's American employees from having jobs.
Protest the Republican National Convention in NYC on August 29
Afterall, we are all socialists, don't have jobs, and have nothing better to do with our time.
Join a peace group and help end the Iraqi occupation
The UN is a good example of said peace group. they did so well with the Oil for Food Program. With any luck another oppressive regime can take over so mass murders and rape rooms can open up again. So much better than the democratic Iraq set forth by the evil Republicans.
Educate your family and friends.
Don't let truth and facts get in your way. Just try to get them to have blind hatred for Bush like we do. Afterall, the best things have come from hate, just look at the Middle East.