Documenting Michael Moore

All that has made him a polarising figure and a big, fat target for his critics, some on the left, to be sure, but most of them on right side of the political divide. They criticise his political theater 8220;stunts,8221; his satirical narration, his aggressive filmmaking, and accuse him of manipulating the facts to suit his argument.

8220;Name one fact in my movie that isn8217;t true,8221; he says. 8220;Every fact is 100 per cent accurate.8221;

Sicko, his latest offering in the realm of documentary activism, offers even more controversy. His 8220;impromptu8221; trip to Cuba with a small flotilla filled with 9/11 rescue volunteers, all of whom were refused coverage for medical treatment stateside for conditions arising from their work at Ground Zero, reportedly has resulted in threats of penalties from the Treasury Department over violations of the US trade embargo against Cuba.

But more maddening to political opponents than any of that, surely, is the simple fact that Moore8217;s films fill seats. Just as the right-wing hosts dominate talk radio, the political and social documentaries of left-leaning filmmakers are the ones connecting with audiences, led by Moore and the record-setting 120 million box office for Fahrenheit 9/11, the most successful documentary ever.

Moore looks and sounds in person like he does on screen, only more so. He8217;s overweight, though since making Sicko he8217;s confessed to changing his diet and walking a couple of miles a day. He comes off as easygoing, at times self-effacing.

8220;To compare anything I8217;ve done with the Bush administration is the most despicable thing that they could say and it really shows how out to lunch they are,8221; he argues, roused at the very idea that he8217;s fudged and manipulated facts to suit his arguments. 8220;What I8217;m doing is to point out how those in power are not telling us the truth, are manipulating us with their lies.8221;

As an activist who uses filmmaking to spread his ideas and call for action, Moore is arguably the best . His films get people engaged, get them talking, and get them roused to political action. That kind of success is hard to argue with.

Curated For You

Jana Nayagan Movie Audio Launch Live Updates: Atlee, Nelson Dilipkumar, Lokesh Kanagaraj heap praise on Vijay; Anirudh Ravichander takes the stage

Dhurandhar Box Office Worldwide Collection Day 22 Update: Ranveer Singhs film mints over Rs 665 crore in India

Fans say Veer Pahariya looks uncomfortable as girlfriend Tara Sutaria performs with AP Dhillon in Mumbai: Didnt see him cheering