I want to see Michael Moore step up! Put your money where your mouth is!

[anarchy1999]

I want to see Michael Moore say F the money. I want him to follow Robert Greenwald's lead and bury the Republican camp! I want Michael Moore to do what Greenwald has done with "Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War".

from Interview with BuzzFlash:

snip:
BUZZFLASH: You are initially distributing the documentary exclusively through the Internet. Why did you choose that route?

GREENWALD: BuzzFlash, AlterNet, The Nation, and MoveOn.org are leading the way in the Internet distribution -- and we will all be notifying their members and readers. This is a powerful, democratic and alternate way to get the film into peoples’ hands.

I am very excited about our alternative distribution. There will be screenings around the country, including D.C., New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. We have different sponsors in different cities, and more to come. I encourage all BuzzFlash readers to get a copy and screen it, no permission necessary. Just let us know so we can post it on the website. You can use it at your school, club, church, or family get-together, use it as fundraiser, use it to generate discussion. The other part of the distribution pattern is through the Internet, so that the gatekeepers can’t stop us from getting the word out.

snip:
BUZZFLASH: You are an award-winning Hollywood producer and co-founder of "Artists United to Win Without War." You are investing a lot of time and money to document how we as a nation are being sold down the river. Why?

GREENWALD: In the words of my grandmother: "What else should we be doing?"
I have four children who affect every decision I make, and the thought of not doing everything I possibly can to affect the most important time in history -- well, I would not be able to look at myself in the mirror if I didn’t do all I am capable of to stop the destruction of my country.

BUZZFLASH: Lately, even the mainstream press has been reporting on the confirmed lies of the Bush cartel as they led us into war. But the revelations don't seem "to have legs," as they say. There's little national outrage, and the media and most Democrats in Congress aren't raging about the Bush Cartel campaign of orchestrated deception and how they betrayed the nation. How will your documentary make a difference?

GREENWALD: I think that the film will be a tool for us to use. The evidence is beyond question when you lay it all out and you hear the experts say, "This is not true ... This is not possible." My favorite section of the film is when you see the Bushies try to switch the argument from weapons of mass destruction to programs that might develop WMDs. So now we went to war over a program?

If people take the film and screen it whenever possible for their social and professional networks, we can continue to make a difference. It is one more element we have to use in the ongoing effort to take back our country.

http://www.buzzflash.com/interviews/03/11/int03031.html

on edit:

I love MM and I am so excited about the response he received. Longest ovation in the history of Cannes! WAY TO GO, MICHAEL!!

[Solidarity]

1. Greenwald?

Never heard of Greenwald. It might be a good movie, probably doesn't come close to anything Moore has made but it still might be good. I will certainly check out the movie. Thanks for the info.

Moore gives a ton of money to the anti-war movement and other causes he supports. Who told you he doesn't?

[havocmom]

4. Moore helps his neighbors in Flint, where it all started

my guess is he is not living in a palace somewhere counting his sheckels. Takes seed $$ for each project he tackles in his quest to make the voice of the common citizen heard.

[adriennel]

7. lives on Park Ave (NYC) now

very far away in many senses from Flint, MI!

I'm a big fan of MM, and I'm from MI, but I do think MM likes the money.

[bryant69]

8. Whats wrong with liking the money?

What is wrong with him providing a good life for his daughter, his wife and himself?

I mean he does use his money to help out where he can--do we really expect him to give until it hurts?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[adriennel]

11. nothing. I like money!

I am just responding to the original post on whether MM would sacrifice cash in order to distribute his latest movie. Since he has been working with major studios for his last two projects, my guess is there is too much invested(and he has more name recognition working for him)to distribute in less glamorous channels (i.e. the Internet.

I paid to see Bowling for Columbine (it was worth it) and I will pay to see Fahrenheit.

sorry, I gotta add, I am sick of the MM as humble midwesterner schtick. maybe in the beginning, but now??? It's kinda like saying Georgie-boy is Texan.

[HootieMcBoob]

2. That's not a very good idea

Many more people will see the movie if it's distributed via the traditional theatrical route. Bowling for Columbine was the most widely seen documentary in history! I think his new movie will be be seen by even more people. Also, putting it in theaters will mean it will be reviewed by newspapers all over the place. It will be a big deal. Remember the Oscar speech? Uncovered is a great documentary but it really hasn't been seen by too many people outside of the already converted. And it really didn't make any news at all in the Major media. I trust that Moore knows what he's doing.

[anarchy1999]

3. It is a very good idea. Do you have any idea of the number of people that

would give for this right now? I think you might be surprised!

[Shakespeare]

9. No, it's not a good idea.

Do you have any idea how much MORE exposure this film will get being distributed in theatres? The other film, while good and important, never had a prayer of wide theatrical release, so his enthusiasm over the internet marketing approach is nothing more than putting a good face on a situation in which he had no other choice. Sad, but true.

Moore has already gotten tremendous publicity on this film, and it'll continue to get attention. Many, many more people will see the film and be aware of its contents this way. Moore doesn't need to "step up" and do anything differently--he's doing exactly what he needs to do right now (as is Harvey Weinstein).

[RoyGBiv]

13. Agreed, completely...

How many people even know about "Uncovered" anymore? I knew about it when it was first being distributed, but I couldn't make it to the local private screening on the night it was shown, so I've never seen it.

AFAIK, you can only currently get it via the Internet, yet there have been a number of reports of problems with distribution, i.e. people placing orders, having their CC's charged, and not receiving the movie. Those kinds of problems always seem to follow Internet-only distribution of anything. Perhaps it isn't the fault of those directly involved with making the movie, but it reflects poorly on them anyway and makes people like me less likely to try to purchase via the 'Net.

This movie needs to be in theaters. I even hope some movie houses refuse to show it and make a big deal of refusing to show it -- more publicity and bigger crowds at those places where it is shown. And, it will be. The more press it receives, the more money there is to be made by someone other than Moore, and that is what will drive it.

And, there's one other point to consider. "Alternative" distribution is associated with a perception of low credibility. That's the last thing this movie needs.

Internet distribution would, imo, kill this movie's impact.

[spanone]

5. I think Moore has already stepped up for Chrissake. He's put his life on

the line not to mention his finances. Many americans don't surf the net as we do and need films to be in distribution. Be fair.

[robbedvoter]

6. How many people saw that? I never heard of it - and I am on the net

all day long. What a crock! How many ways to attack MM?

[Dookus]

10. That's silly

he wants his film to be seen. Distribution in movie theaters is the way to ensure that.

He spent millions producing the movie - I see nothing wrong with him earning millions if the product is successful.

[Missy Vixen]

12. Let the movie come out in the theaters

>I want to see Michael Moore say F the money.<

You don't think he's already done that?

How much could Michael Moore make if he went the media whore route and started making "feel good", "family friendly movies" for Disney?

>I want Michael Moore to do what Greenwald has done with "Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War".<

I want Michael Moore's film to come out in as many movie theaters across the country that will screen it. It's the most effective way to get it shown to those who need to see it. I wrote to Michael today and told him that I will commit to standing outside whatever local theater shows "Fahrenheit 911" with voter registration forms, and will sign up as many new voters as possible.

The movie is already slated to come out on DVD in October; those who want a copy at that point can purchase it and show it in their homes to as many of their friends and family as they want as long as they don't charge admission.

It cost $6 million to produce the film. He would have to sell 300,000 copies of the film over the Web to even make back the initial investment, not to mention writing a huge check to Miramax to even get the rights back in the first place.

I'm happy to see it in the theater.

Julie

[anarchy1999]

14. To everyone that has posted. I may have been wrong. Guess I just have

no patience. I want this film out and I want it out now, not now, but yesterday! Okay with the controversy and more people seeing it. Whatever it takes.

Julie, your idea is great.

No offense meant to anyone, especially Michael Moore. I apologize to each and to all.