This article has been chosen as a Making Sense of These Times
FIVE STAR PIECE
Thank God for some good news. Michael Moore, whose "Stupid White Men" has
topped best seller lists for 15 weeks, has done it again in terms of popular
appeal for a pull no punches anti-Bush stance, this time with a film
documentary. It will thrill you to read this – a good antidote to the rest
of the news. "...my new film, "Bowling for Columbine," was awarded the
Special Prize
of the 55th Cannes Film Festival. It had already made history by being the
first documentary chosen to be part of the official festival competition in
almost 50 years. And, last night, it was the only prize awarded that
received a unanimous decision from the festival jury."
-Suzanne-
OTHER MICHAEL MOORE POSTINGS ON OUR SITE:
Re STUPID WHITE MEN...And Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation!
Update from Michael, March 6, 2002
Police Raid, Shut Down My Booksigning in San Diego, March 11, 2002
Stupid White Men hits New York Times Bestseller List
May 27, 2002
"Bowling for Columbine" Wins Cannes Prize
Dear friends,
By now you may have awakened to the news that last night, in Cannes,
France, my new film, "Bowling for Columbine," was awarded the Special Prize
of the 55th Cannes Film Festival. It had already made history by being the
first documentary chosen to be part of the official festival competition in
almost 50 years. And, last night, it was the only prize awarded that
received a unanimous decision from the festival jury. The film's crew and I
have never experieced anything like this.
Now, you're probably wondering what happened to that guy who wrote "Stupid
White Men?" I know it seems like I disappeared for the better part of April
and May. Contrary to the wild rumors I helped to initiate, I was not
abducted by the Ashcroft Aliens for violating the new Patriot Act.
In truth, the book tour spun out of control when I couldn't say no to all
the places that asked me to come and speak. Before I knew it, I had done 64
appearances in a total of 47 cities. Then, on the morning of my birthday, I
was awakened with a call from France, asking me if I would allow my film to
be shown in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. What do you say to a
call like that? "Hey, it's my birthday, dammit, I'm trying to sleep!"
So I rushed back to New York and went into overdrive to put the final
touches on the film. We finished it 3 hours before we left to go to France.
Well, that was two weeks ago. I have been here in Cannes since then – and
the response has been nothing short of overwhelming. The director of the
festival announced that the standing ovation our film received as the
credits rolled set a new record in the history of the Cannes Film Festival
– 13 minutes long. Within hours, dozens of countries from around the world
bought the distribution rights to the film from the Canadian conglomerate
which "owns" our movie, breaking the previous record for a documentary set
by "Roger & Me" (yes, the producers get all the money and we get... well,
we get nada plus a plane ticket home!)
The day began yesterday with "Bowling for Columbine" winning "Best Film"
from a vote of hundreds of French teachers and students from arond the
country who each year come to Cannes and award one movie their "Cannes Prix
Educational National." It's the only "people's prize" at Cannes where
everyday citizens get to screen the films and vote. It was a wonderful
moment and a great honor to receive this award. The Education Ministry in
France has made "Roger & Me" part of the French national curriculum and it
is shown each year in every school in France. The same will now happen with
"Bowling for Columbine."
So, when do you get to see it? United Artists bought the film for the U.S.
and is planning on releasing it this fall. But don't hold your breath. I
hate to sound a note of pessimism or warning, but my experience this year
in fighting to get my book released (from a publisher that was hell-bent on
NOT releasing it) has made me justifiably wary of anyone who says they will
distribute my work. I wish the good people at UA all the best.
There is no getting around the fact that "Bowling for Columbine" is a
provocative, controversial film that is going to make a lot of people
angry. That is not my intention. I do not relish the hassle I am in for.
But the work I do must be an honest expression of what I see and believe –
and I am not inclined to soften what I do to appease those whom I must beg
for money in order to do my work.
"Bowling for Columbine" is my personal view of America at the turn of this
new century. It is not specifically about Columbine and, no, it is not
about bowling. My favorite quote I read during the festival was, "This film
will single-handedly guarantee that George W. Bush will never see a second
term." Well, one can only dream. After all, it is just a movie. If it go as
planned, the film will be released in October.
I have to say that things have turned around a bit for me in the past few
months. I have no one else to thank for this except for all of you. Against
incredible odds that included a publisher who demanded I choose between
censoring my work or destroying the 50,000 copies they had printed, you
made "Stupid White Men" the most-read non-fiction book in the country –
and it remains at or near the top of every best-seller list in the U.S. and
Canada for the 15th week in a row.
To now have this record-setting response to "Bowling for Columbine" happen
here at Cannes is beyond belief. It's more than I deserve and I feel truly
blessed and privileged. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I wish there
was some way to repay all of you, like an internet version of let's all go
out for a pizza. Maybe someday!
Thanks again.
Yours,
Michael Moore
Filmmaker
Author
Lifetime Member, N.R.A.
mmflint@aol.com
http://www.michaelmoore.com
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