Photograph from
http://www.dogeatdogfilms.com
Michael Moore (1954-
Roger & Me
Written, produced and directed by Michael Moore
Burbank, CA: Warner Home Video, 1990
Michael Moore gained international fame with the release of his controversial breakthrough documentary, Roger & Me, the most successful nonconcert documentary ever. It tells the story of Moore's hometown of Flint, Michigan, and the hard times that have beset the community as a result of General Motors factory closings. (Moore's father worked at General Motors for 33 years.) The film is an indictment of GM's policy of plant closing at a time when it was the world's largest corporation with a large profit margin. The film satirizes attempts to rejuvenate the economy and bolster the spirit of the community.
Moore's latest film, Bowling for Columbine, attempts to address the growing problem of violence in America and includes interviews with rocker Marilyn Manson who is surprisingly thoughful, as well as Charlton Heston, the actor and former president of the National Rifle Association who was not quite as cooperative. He also recently published, Stupid White Men and Other Excuses for the State of the Nation, which reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
His films and books provide an alternative view of tradional issues that will not not only make you laugh, but also reflect deeply upon contemporary issues such as violence and corporate greed. He was attacking the latter issue long before ENRON and the other corporate scandals of the past year.
Sources:
Andrews, Paul. "The Little Leftist Rant That Could." U.S. News & World Report. 1 April 2002: 4-5.
Georgakas, Dan, and Barbara Saltz. "Michael and us: An interview with Michael Moore." Cineaste 23.3 (1998): 4-7.
Johnson, Brian D. "Staring
Down the Barrel of a Gun." Maclean's. 21 October 2002:
34-36.
Michael Moore.com. Ed. David Schankula. 2002. Michael Moore. 09
January 2003. <http://www.michaelmoore.com/>.
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