Friends,
Well, this is it!
Tonight, at the Venice Film Festival, I will premiere my new movie, Capitalism: A Love Story. After 16 months of production, I am proud to present this work of mine to you. It is unlike anything you'll see on the silver screen this year.
Twenty years ago this week I premiered my first film, Roger & Me. Tonight, my new film will premiere at the oldest film festival in the world, the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy. It is an incredible honor they've bestowed on us, and we feel very privileged to be able to present Capitalism: A Love Story tonight in Venice.
The director of the festival said that our movie was "incredibly symphonic" and that he was moved by its epic nature. Jeez, these Italians! Everything's an opera to them!
But seriously, I do believe we've made something that will knock your socks off. I showed it to a friend of mine last week and he said, "It's your most dangerous film yet." (But I assure you, you'll be completely safe watching it in your local theater.)
I've kept a pretty tight lid on what we've been up to while making this movie and you're about to see exactly what that means. It isn't easy, in the age of YouTube and the internet, to keep something like this under wraps, but we've pulled it off and I can't wait to show you this latest effort of mine.
So wish us well tonight. We'll be home soon to open the movie all across the country (September 23rd in New York and L.A., October 2nd everywhere else).
I'll leave you with a quote from Thomas Jefferson: "Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies."
Yours,
Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com
P.S. If you haven't seen the new trailer for the movie, check it out.
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Your previous works have brought me to tears. I plan to see your new film and hope you will continue to add to the national dialogue. There are few filmmakers with your courage and heart, who can personalize a complex subject and bring out the tragedy inherent in our American way of life. Thank you for the hours of dedication you have committed to the viewpoints you have shared.
For those here that don't know that quote:
" I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies . . . If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] . . . will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered . . . The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs." -- Thomas Jefferson -- The Debate Over The Re Charter Of The Bank Bill, (1809)
It exposes all sorts of stock market corruption. "Stock Shock" follows several Sirius XM investors through their experience of watching their stock go from almost ten dollars a share---down to 5 cents/share. "Stock Shock" suggests this might be due to "naked short selling" and other market manipulation by high rollers on Wall Street. I don't know if I'm a believer, but at least it gives a good review of how our stock markets are engineered. Amazon.com has it and stockshockmovie.com
"Bernard Lawrence (Bernie) Madoff is an American former financier, Chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange, and the convicted largest investor fraud ever committed by a single person."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Madoff
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=bernie+madoff&aq=0&oq=bernie&aqi=g3g-s1g6
But seriously: "It is unlike anything you'll see on the silver screen this year."
You really thought that needed to be said?
AMERICA would LOVE YOU. WE'D SEE THE STRONG, DETERMINED MAN WHO GAVE US THE AUDACITY TO HOPE. NO COMPROMISE. NOT ON THIS ISSUE.
LBJ had his problems and Viet Nam broke his spirit, overtook his hope for a Great Society; but by God he was not afraid of Congress or the citizens who just didn't like him (like my far far right parents...who eat up medicare like candy..but it's NOT socialized medicine..yeah..right).
Be IN OUR FACES. RISK ALL (politically) for US. My gut, my soul knows THIS COULD be the pivotal moment of your Presidency. WE need you at the same levels that America needed FDR during the days of The Grapes of Wrath.
You are MY President; you have my loyalty. But this does nothing to assuage my fear. Thank you for listening.
current course of action.
This nation is made up of 306million individuals. Many would like to express same thoughts and hopes you have articulated here to the President. Pres. Obama has raised bar of hope for audacity very high. Many people counsel for patience, and wait with bated breath, evaporating hope and sinking heart.
Eloquence of speech is a skill and a divine gift. It's a MEANS of communicating love -- love of people, love of ideals, love of nation. But it's not love itself. ACTION transmits love. Love is the intent. Action communicates intent by changing results, transforms lives of individuals and nations. Nothing can replace actions.
Sofar, President Obama's actions haven't matched eloquence, and audacity hasn't accompanied hope. In staying with key appointments of Geithner and Summers, as Arianna cogently and clearly pointed out, the same leading individuals are put in charge of economic policies that were among the architects, conceptualizers, sympathizers and executors of the original policies that caused the current economic meltdown. They're unlikely to transform their own thinking, attitudes, sympathies and problem-solving approach. They're part of the problem.
Audacity in transmational leadership requires RADICAL departure from past failed thinking, methods and allegiances. Time is running short as more and more people see actions and results without audacity leading to continuation of the same economic morass and spiritual blight.
YOU pick the Americans who deserve to die for lack of insurance because I CANNOT and WILL NOT do it. (There will be boos and walk outs); BUT America will be watching.
Then, I would wait; let silence take over, not say a word, let some red-faced official break the silence regardless of how long it takes (silence makes anxious people NUTS!).
BUT...HEALTH INSURANCE. LBJ believed Medicare would, over the years grow, evolve to include younger members (solving the bankruptcy it now faces).I recently completely very aggressive cancer treatment (lucky to have so-so insurance!); and just last week, almost died from a pulmonary embolism (side effect of treatment..and I'm only 54). I face lay-off (I work for one of the big TARP recipients and KNOW how they will improve their balance sheet...more layoffs). I am inconsequential to them in the whole scheme of things.
I am honestly more afraid of losing insurance coverage than I am of a recurrence of cancer. This is not a joke, but
the very sad truth. I admire that you are a kind and loving President; unfortunately you are dealing with greedy, paid-off elected officials; and they know your niceness and use that against all of us.
Part ONE
Dear President Obama,
I am one of your loyal followers; did a few small things for your campaign; and breathed a sigh of relief when you won the Presidency on the basis of Hope, Compassion and Change I COULD believe in.
I cannot remain silent, satisfying my sadness and disappointment with blog posts,etc. I can only be upfront and perhaps brutally honest. I have been in financial services for over 25 years and see so plainly the naivety you display in trusting the very people who created the financial meltdown. Madoff, a drop in the bucket. I may not have a Wharton MBA; but I'd have shut the guy down years ago (I've fired small, retail brokers for much less).
TARP, a disaster. I, of course, have the benefit of hindsight. Cash for Clunkers..well..I actually truly benefited from that program, so thank you.
nevermind..I'm thinking the boy does not get the girl..
Peace ON!
P.s. I am going to "try" to post a letter (it will take many posts ) I faxed to the White House yesterday..will it get read..doubt it...
As we watch Obama twist in the wind over his poor handling of health care reform, I can't help thinking that if he'd just taken one of his many primetime speeches to show "Sicko," we'd probably have people screaming at town halls for single payer right now, instead of railing against "socialism."
Of course it's not too late. Imagine the look on the Repub's and blue dog's faces, as Obama tells Congress this Wednesday that, instead of a speech, he has a film he wants them and all of America to watch. What a moment that would be in history!
Thanks for being a light in the darkness, and a true patriot.
I absolutely agree with you. President Obama was elected most of all to get us real health care reform. He at least needs to incorporate scenes from SiCKO in his speaches. I'm sure Michael would gladly give his permission. What a great documentary!
Michael,
You appeal to the better angels in all of us who aren't afraid to watch your documentaries. I'm a better person for seeing your honest, caring, funny, and dead serious work. Thank you.