From Toronto to Pittsburgh to Jay Leno, Capitalism Marches On...

Friends,

It hasn't quite hit me that Capitalism: A Love Story, my new film, will be opening in theaters in New York and L.A. just one week from tomorrow. And everywhere else on October 2nd. Is it already the fall?

Having spent the last year and a half living pretty much under the radar and quietly putting together this movie for you, it is heartening, to say the least, to read the early reviews where Time Magazine called it "Moore's magnum opus," the Los Angeles Times has declared it my "most controversial film yet," and Variety has said that Capitalism: A Love Story is "one of Moore's best films." Wow. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect, considering this film is an all-out assault against the racket polite people like to call "Wall Street."

My crew and I had one thought in mind while we were filming Capitalism: What if the powers-that-be refuse to give us funding for the next movie after they see what we've put in this one?! And if that was the case, knowing that this documentary might be our last one for a while, what would we want to make sure we put in this film? That's a heavy thought, I know, but we did, indeed, set about making this movie and giving it everything we got, with an attitude that said loud and clear: "Take no prisoners!"

The film is now completed and we left our world premiere at the Venice Film Festival with two of its prizes! Capitalism: A Love Story won the Leoncino d'Oro award, given to one film each year by a jury of young adults in Venice (they call it their "youth prize," meaning we were the top film among the young people at the festival). We were also awarded The Open Prize, given to the film that best honors the art of cinema (a group of Italian artists participating in the Venice Biennale hand out this cherished prize).

Then, this past Sunday night, we landed in Canada for the North American premiere of Capitalism: A Love Story -- and again, the film was met with wide critical acclaim and thunderous applause at the screenings (no, it wasn't just the sound of Canadians trying to keep their hands warm).

But it wasn't till last night, at the annual convention of the AFL-CIO in downtown Pittsburgh, PA, that a packed house of rank-and-file union members -- plumbers and nurses and steelworkers and 73 other trades -- watched the U.S. premiere of our film and, I kid you not, the roof practically came off the place as the credits rolled. I've never witnessed, in my 20 years as a filmmaker, such a response to one of my movies. I'm sure the theater management must have been thinking a riot was going to break out. After years of having the crap kicked out of working people of this country, the crowd in Pittsburgh was ready to rumble after watching two hours of cinema that laid it all out about how Corporate America has gotten away with murder. I was profoundly moved by this overwhelming and enthusiastic response. I simply can't wait to bring this movie to your town and for you to see it! I know you will be shocked and surprised by a lot of what you will see in it. Once again, I've set out to show you things the nightly news doesn't dare show you. There will be some very wealthy men who will not be happy about this film's release. So be it. It's a free country, but more importantly, it's OUR country. It doesn't belong to the richest 1% who now -- are you ready for this -- have more financial wealth than the entire bottom 95% of the country combined!!

Last night Jay Leno premiered his new prime time show on NBC. His in-studio guest was Jerry Seinfeld. Tonight (Tuesday), for his second show, his guest is... me! I know -- that's crazy. My friends are taking bets on the exact hour today the executives at G.E. will call and pull the plug on this insanity. Or not.

Assuming that doesn't happen, I invite you to tune in at 10pm ET/PT, 9pm CT/MT. I'll show, for the first time on national TV, a scene from the movie -- and I might have another surprise for you.

Well, I've landed in L.A. and it's time to get ready for the big show tonight. Thanks for all your support of my work in these past 20 years. I hope, together, we can make change happen in the coming months. That's what the majority voted for. That's what we all deserve.

AND NO BACKING DOWN ON UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE - THE INSURANCE COMPANIES MUST GO!

That's all for now, my friends.

Yours,
Michael Moore
[e-mail]
MichaelMoore.com/

P.S. I'd like to invite any of you within driving distance to a very special premiere of my movie this Saturday, September 19th, in Bellaire, Michigan. It will be the first time the completed film will be shown in the state where I'm from and I'll be there to host it. It's a benefit for the local progressive Dems and you can get more info (and tickets!) by going to AntrimDems.org. I hope to see you there if you can make it to this very personal and special showing of the movie amongst the people who are my neighbors and friends.

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Comments

[pkwinsomee]

Something tells me that when Michael was a fledgling movie maker, someone told him "when you make it big, never forget the little guy." What a great example of someone who never forgot his roots. From one Michiganer to another, thank you.

[wethepeople3884]

You are an inspiration - i would expect the roof to come down on many more showings of this film. Can't wait to see it!!!! Unfortunately, i cant drive to michigan as I live in NJ. Oh well - one more week i guess.

[django707]

I have an even scarier thought:

What if the powers that be feel so unthreatened by your excellent film that they are perfectly happy to finance your next one?

[flatus]

The saddest thing about Mr. Moore is that he is unique. There should be dozens of Michael Moores because we just cannot count on sponsored media or lobby fellated representatives to do the job anymore.


Cheers!

[WorkingClass]

Michael Moore haters are ignorant. What makes Mike important is that he tells the truth. But the reason I love him is he freaks out the rightards.

[LeonBNJ]

I do hope that you do not give up doing your documentary films pointing out serious problems in the USA. I think there are 2 subjects you could consider for new films - 'Big Food' and 'Big Box'.
Big Food would go after the whole range of issues as to how our food is controled by big corporations. From seed providers such as Mansanto and DuPont, to makers of the chemicals used in the fields, to corporate owned superfarms growing narrow ranges of crops, to 'factory farming' by Smithfield and Tyson of meat animals spewing obscene amounts of pollution and creating terrible quality meat. The supersized food processors like Kraft, ConAgra, who creat chemical, fat and salt laden foods. then the control of final distibution of food by huge corporations like Kroger, Safeway and Walmart as well as prepared food such as McDonalds.
'Big Box' would be the dominance of a few companies with large stores that have destroyed over 1 million small retailers, decimating 'Main Streets' across the country. Show how Walmart, Home Depot, et al. use their money muscle to extort towns across the country to put their stores in their towns and even get major tax concessions to do so, pay minimum wages with no benefits and take the profits that once went to local owners to distant shareholders as well as their lack of support of local groups like little league baseball and so on.

[mergina]

Capitalism? Oh we've gone way past capitalism into the realm of being COMPLETELY CORPORATELY OWNED AND GOVERNED IN THIS COUNTRY. We have become the Corporately Owned States of America.

[wethepeople3884]

I am absolutely positive that comes up in the movie quite frequently if not the major theme.

[mcafee97]

I saw the LA Premiere. As usually with your movies I walked out feeling like I had been kicked in the stomach. In a good way, if that's possible.
You are a great American. You are brave and your father must be very proud. Do people understand the courage and hard work it takes to consistently challenge the powers that be? Your movie reminded me of how angry I was after the first bailout, "How do they get to claim capitalism and be saved when their company fails?". My friend literally had a store on Main street, in Santa Monica. She had to close because of the economy. Why can't she just have taxpayers give her loads of money because her company failed?
Just like you, I want the hard working people of America to wake up and realize Glen Beck does not have your interest at heart. Michael Moore does. Obama does.
Why are Americans fighting against them selves? "Free healthcare? No way, I want to keep spending all my tax dollars on the more expensive plan of doing nothing"
Love you, MM

[Trittydi]

Michael Moore is the best. Yes - he can ALWAYS be counted on for a kick in the stomach.

That's why the media spends to much time and effort denigrating him - they need to make MM to be evil so stupid people won't go see his movies. The ones with rings in their noses stay home then howl about how horrible he is.
*

[walk0nwalls]

Thank you Mr. Moore. I may disagree with your stylistic decisions but thank you for making the movies you do nonetheless.

[blindjester]

Agreed.

I don't like the parts where he ambushes people---even if they pretty much deserve it.

But he pulls together a lot of clips and images and information that combine to tell a powerful story. We need more people doing this work, and more of it needs to get to the people.

Looking forward to seeing it.

[Niris]

Thank you Mr. Moore for your films. I wish more people take the time to watch them. A lot of things will be different right not if they did.

[wxw101]

Anyone who can make the health system of Cuba look like something we should aspire too... well that man should get an Oscar.

Oops, guess that already happened.

[FlightLover]

Anyone with the courage to remove the 'wool' from our eyes, without regard to scared mindless drivel and spewing-- is a fine fellow citizen! Oscar a bonus!

[WierdWookie]

Hey Micheal, I already love the movie and can't wait to see it. Everone gets it, even if some pretend not to understand. Love to you for your great work.

[bbbear]

Thank you Michael. When you succeed, the people succeed. Wife and I are eagerly looking forward to your new film!

[philipwitak]

michael, from one flint native to another, and with all due respect: it's not capitalism - it's crapitalism - and almost everyone except the very wealthy among us are getting pooped-on.

[Niris]

No, it is supercapitalism.

[OneofThem]

Best word-coinage, ever, LOL.

[rmac54]

Mr. Moore, Capitalism hasn't been practiced in this country for over 50 years and it isn't going to start anytime soon. What some like to call Capitalism in this country haven't the faintest idea of what it is.
The left has called capitalism a failure, but where are the true free markets?
The right screams for Capitalism, but is it Capitalism to bail out Goldman Sachs?
Both parties have this warped view of what being a Capitalist is, and thats because no one has practiced it in decades.
Even the woman whose name graces this website stated yesterday that we do not have Capitalism in this country
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-tv/arianna-on-morning-joe-th_b_287008.html
We need to quit blaming Capitalism on a whole host of social failures imposed on us by the Government. We also need to not confuse Corpratism with Capitalism, they are two different things entirely and we are practicing the former. The place we truly need to blame is the Federal Reserve. Its not federal, its not a reserve. Its a cartel.
I think a better name for you movie would be "Corpratism , a Government love story"