CATRIONA PAUL at the Movies.

WRITER AND DIRECTOR Michael Moore first found fame with the anti-gun epic, Bowling for Columbine. He returns with Fahrenheit 9/11, “the temperature where freedom burns”, a film tracking the presidency of George W. Bush from dubious beginnings in Florida, through the terrorist attacks of 9/11, to the war in Iraq. Whilst it’s not hard to make Dubya look stupid, Moore puts an altogether more sinister slant on the presidency.
 
Moore makes a persuasive case for seeing war in Iraq as a massive disaster on all fronts – begun on false assertions about WMDs, to rescue a lame duck President reeling after 9/11, exploiting an American fear of terrorism which the Bush administration had helped generate, and hitting the poor and disenfranchised – both Iraqis and American soldiers.

Yet many critics have taken issue with Moore’s partisan approach, citing blatant manipulation of facts, images and soundbites whilst using pop tunes and sarcasm to keep things entertaining. There are clearly times when the anti-war case is presented simplistically. The depiction of children playing happily in the streets of Baghdad pre-invasion juxtaposed with gruesome images of civilian casualties and bereaved families is an emotive ploy which ignores the acknowledged cruelties of Saddam’s regime.

Moreover, certain suggestions are made which lend themselves more to conspiracy theory than accepted fact – most memorably the idea that a business connection between the Bin Laden and Bush families inhibited the US response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

A film-maker of partisan views, combined with MTV appeal, is a daunting prospect. Fahrenheit 9/11 has already brought in more money at the US box office than any previous documentary. There are some forecasters who believe it could do more damage to Bush’s chances of re-election than John Kerry ever could.

Despite the bias, this film is a must-see, not least because it re-invigorates a debate on the war in Iraq which, for many, has grown tired and distant. For keeping the war in the public’s view, for goading the apathetic into having an opinion, Moore’s the right man for the job.

FAHRENHEIT 9/11
General release, selected cinemas.

Writer and Director: Michael Moore
Certificate: 15
Running Time: 122 mins
Country: USA
Year: 2004
 

© Catriona Paul, 2004

Related Links:

Michael Moore’s website