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Line 1: − {{Otherpersons}}+ − {{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}+ − {{Infobox actor+ − | image = Michael_moore.jpg − | caption = Michael Moore in 2004 − | birthname = Michael Francis Moore − | birthdate = {{birth date and age|1954|4|23}} − | birthplace = [[Davison, Michigan]]<ref name=Davison/><ref>[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_701693990/moore_michael.html Michael Moore - MSN Encarta<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> − | yearsactive = 1989 - present − | occupation = director, screenwriter, producer, actor − | spouse = Kathleen Glynn (1991-) − | homepage = http://michaelmoore.com/ − | academyawards = '''[[Academy Award for Documentary Feature|Best Documentary Feature]]'''<br>2002 ''[[Bowling for Columbine]]'' − | emmyawards = '''Outstanding Informational Series'''<br>1995 ''[[TV Nation]]'' − − − }} − − |publisher=www.meeja.com.au |date=2008-09-24 |accessdate=2008-09-24 }}</ref> He has also written and starred in the TV shows ''[[TV Nation]]'' and ''[[The Awful Truth (TV series)|The Awful Truth]]'', both of which continue his trademark style of presenting serious documentaries in humorous ways. − Moore is a self-described liberal<ref>{{cite web |author=Michael Moore |title=A Liberal's Pledge to Disheartened Conservatives |url=http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?messageDate=2006-11-14 |publisher=Michael Moore.com |date=2006-11-14 |accessdate=2007-07-21 }}</ref> who has explored [[anti-globalization|globalization]], large [[corporation]]s, [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|gun ownership]], the [[Iraq War]], [[U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]] and [[health care in the United States|the American health care system]] in his written and cinematic works. In 2005 ''[[Time magazine]]'' named him one of [[Time 100|the world's 100 most influential people]].<ref>{{cite news | author=Joel Stein | title=Michael Moore: The Angry Filmmaker | url=http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/2005/time100/artists/100moore.html | publisher=Time | year=2005 | accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref> In 2005, Moore started the annual [[Traverse City Film Festival]] in [[Traverse City, Michigan]]. In 2008, he closed his Manhattan office and moved it to Traverse City, where he is working on his new film.<ref>{{cite web | author=Rick Coates | title=Northern Michigan's film industry from Michael Moore's perspective | url=http://www.northernexpress.com/editorial/features.asp?id=3217 | publisher=Northern Express | year=2008 | accessdate=2008-07-21 }}</ref>+ + − ==Biography==+ − === Early life === − − + − === Post-school career ===+ − After dropping out of the [[University of Michigan-Flint]] (where he wrote for the student newspaper ''[[The Michigan Times]]'') and working for a day at the [[General Motors]] plant,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pww.org/archives95/95-09-23-3.html | title=Exclusive Interview with Michael Moore of TV Nation | author=Ron Sheldon | date=September 23, 1995 | work=People's Weekly World}}</ref> at 22 he founded the alternative weekly magazine ''The Flint Voice'', which soon changed its name to ''The Michigan Voice'' as it expanded to cover the entire state, which Moore later regretted{{Fact|date=June 2008}}. In 1986, when Moore became the editor of [[Mother Jones (magazine)|''Mother Jones'']], a liberal political magazine, he moved to California and ''The Michigan Voice'' was shut down. − After four months at ''Mother Jones'', Moore was fired. Matt Labash claims this was for refusing to print an article by [[Paul Berman]] that was critical of the [[Sandinista National Liberation Front|Sandinista]] human rights record in Nicaragua. According to the story, Moore stated that he would not run the article because [[Ronald Reagan]] "could easily hold it up, saying, 'See, even ''Mother Jones'' agrees with me.'"<ref>Emily Schultz, ''Michael Moore: A Biography'', Ecw Press, 2005. Pg 47-54.</ref> Berman described Moore as a "very ideological guy and not a very well-educated guy" when asked about the incident.<ref>Paul Mulshine. "A Stupid White Man and a Smart One". ''[[Newark Star Ledger]]'', March 3, 2003</ref> Moore claims that ''[[Mother Jones]]'' actually fired him because of the publisher's refusal to allow him to cover a story on the GM plant closings in his hometown of [[Flint, Michigan]]. He responded by putting laid-off GM worker [[Ben Hamper]] (who was also writing for the same magazine at the time) on the magazine's cover, leading to his termination. Moore sued for wrongful dismissal, and settled out of court for $58,000, providing him with seed money for his first film, ''[[Roger & Me]]''.<ref>Matt Labash. "Michael Moore, One-Trick Phony". ''[[The Weekly Standard]]''. June 8, 1998</ref>+ − === 2004 ===+ − + + − During September and October 2004, Moore spoke at universities and colleges in [[swing state]]s during his "Slacker Uprising Tour". The tour gave away [[ramen]] and [[underwear]] to young people who promised to vote. This provoked public denunciations from the [[Michigan Republican Party]] and attempts to convince the government that Moore should be arrested for buying votes, but since Moore did not tell the "slackers" involved for ''whom'' to vote, just to vote, district attorneys refused to get involved. Quite possibly the most controversial stop during the tour was [[Utah Valley University|Utah Valley State College]] in [[Orem]], [[Utah]]. A fight for his right to speak ensued and resulted in massive public debates and a media blitz. Death threats, bribes and lawsuits followed. The event was chronicled in the documentary film ''[[This Divided State]]''.<ref>[http://www.thisdividedstate.com ''This Divided State''] official website. Accessed 9 July 2006.</ref>+ + − + − He has also dabbled in acting, following a 2000 supporting role in ''[[Lucky Numbers]]'' as the cousin of [[Lisa Kudrow]]'s character, who agrees to be part of the scheme concocted by [[John Travolta]]'s character. He also had a cameo in his ''[[Canadian Bacon]]'' as an anti-Canada activist. In 2004, he did a cameo, as a news journalist, in ''[[The Fever (2004 film)|The Fever]]'', starring [[Vanessa Redgrave]] in the lead. − === Marriage ===+ − Since 1990, Moore has been married to producer Kathleen Glynn,<ref> [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0323359 IMDb], Kathleen Glynn</ref> with whom he has a stepdaughter named Natalie. They live in [[New York City]] and spend quite a bit of time in [[Traverse City]], [[Michigan]]. − === Religion ===+ − − == Directing ==+ − === Films and awards === − <!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Sickoposter.jpg|right|thumb|Moore's most recent film, ''Sicko'', released in 2007.]] -->+ − [[Image:Sicko at the Cannes FF by tangi bertin on May 19, 2007.jpg|thumb|At the Cannes Film Festival]]+ − ; ''[[Roger & Me]]'': Moore first became famous for his controversial [[1989 in film|1989 film]], ''[[Roger & Me]]'', a documentary about what happened to [[Flint, Michigan]] after [[General Motors Corporation|General Motors]] closed its factories and opened new ones in [[Mexico]], where the workers were paid much less. Since then Moore has been known as a critic of the [[neoliberal]] view of [[globalization]]. "Roger" is [[Roger B. Smith]], former CEO and president of General Motors.+ + − ; ''[[Canadian Bacon (film)|Canadian Bacon]]'': In 1995, Moore released a satirical film, ''[[Canadian Bacon (film)|Canadian Bacon]]'', which features a [[List of fictional U.S. Presidents|fictional US president]] (played by [[Alan Alda]]) engineering a fake war with [[Canada]] in order to boost his popularity. It is noted for containing a number of Canadian and American stereotypes, and for being Moore's only non-documentary film. The film is also one of the last featuring Canadian-born actor [[John Candy]], and also features a number of cameos by other Canadian actors. In the film, several potential enemies for America's next great campaign are discussed by the president and his cabinet. (The scene was strongly influenced by the [[Stanley Kubrick]] film ''[[Dr. Strangelove]]''.) The President comments that declaring war on Canada was as ridiculous as declaring war on international terrorism. His military adviser, played by [[Rip Torn]], quickly rebuffs this idea, saying that no one would care about "...a bunch of guys driving around blowing up rent-a-cars".+ − ; ''[[The Big One (film)|The Big One]]'': In 1997, Moore directed ''[[The Big One (film)|The Big One]]'', which documents the tour publicizing his book ''[[Downsize This!|Downsize This! Random Threats from an Unarmed American]]'', in which he criticizes mass layoffs despite record corporate profits. Among others, he targets [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] for outsourcing shoe production to [[Indonesia]].+ − ; ''[[Bowling for Columbine]]'': Moore's [[2002 in film|2002 film]], ''[[Bowling for Columbine]]'', probes the culture of [[Gun violence in the United States|guns and violence in the United States]], taking as a starting point the [[Columbine High School massacre]] of 1999. ''Bowling for Columbine'' won the Anniversary Prize at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] and France's [[Cesar Award]] as the Best Foreign Film. In the United States, it won the 2002 [[Academy Award for Documentary Feature]]. It also enjoyed great commercial and critical success for a film of its type and became, at the time, the highest-grossing mainstream-released documentary (a record later held by Moore's ''[[Fahrenheit 9/11]]''). It was praised by some for illuminating a subject slighted by the mainstream media, but it was attacked by others who claim it is inaccurate and misleading in its presentations and suggested interpretations of events.+ − ; ''[[Fahrenheit 9/11]]'': ''[[Fahrenheit 9/11]]'' examines America in the aftermath of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], particularly the record of the Bush administration and alleged links between the families of [[George W. Bush]] and [[Osama bin Laden]]. ''Fahrenheit'' was awarded the ''[[Palme d'Or]]'', the top honor at the [[Cannes Film Festival]]; it was the first documentary film to win the prize since 1956. Moore later announced that ''Fahrenheit 9/11'' would not be in consideration for the 2005 [[Academy Award for Documentary Feature]], but instead for the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]]. He stated he wanted the movie to be seen by a few million more people, preferably on television, by election day. Since November 2 was less than nine months after the film's release, it would be disqualified for the Documentary Oscar. Moore also said he wanted to be supportive of his "teammates in non-fiction film." However, Fahrenheit received no Oscar nomination for Best Picture. The title of the film alludes to the classic book ''[[Fahrenheit 451]]'' about a future totalitarian state in which books are banned; according to the book, paper begins to burn at 451 degrees Fahrenheit. The pre-release subtitle of the film confirms the allusion: "The temperature at which freedom burns." At the box office, ''Fahrenheit 9/11'' remains the highest-grossing documentary of all time, taking in close to US$200 million worldwide, including [[United States]] box office revenue of US$120 million.+ − ; ''[[Sicko]]'': Moore directed this film about the American health care system, focusing particularly on the managed-care and pharmaceutical industries. At least four major [[pharmaceutical company|pharmaceutical companies]]—[[Pfizer]], [[Eli Lilly and Company|Eli Lilly]], [[AstraZeneca]], and [[GlaxoSmithKline]]—ordered their employees not to grant any interviews to Moore.<ref>[http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/9794410.htm?1c The Philadelphia Inquirer:] Inqlings | Michael Moore takes on Glaxo. Michael Klein, 30 September 2005. Archive accessed 9 July 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1222-04.htm Common Dreams News Center:] Drug Firms are on the Defense as Filmmaker Michael Moore Plans to Dissect Their Industry. Original Article - Elaine Dutka, L.A. Times, December 22, 2004. Archive accessed August 09, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/business/9824781.htm Chicago Tribune:] Michael Moore turns camera onto health care industry. Bruce Japsen, 3 October 2004. Archive accessed 9 July 2006.</ref> According to Moore on a letter at his website, "roads that often surprise us and lead us to new ideas – and challenge us to reconsider the ones we began with have caused some minor delays." The film premiered at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] on 19 May 2007, receiving a lengthy standing ovation, and was released in the U.S. and Canada on 29 June 2007.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2007/05/26/moore-sicko-fundraiser.html CBC] Sicko to have unofficial premiere at Democratic fundraiser May 26, 2007. URL accessed October 14, 2007.</ref> The film was the subject of some controversy when it became known that Moore went to [[Cuba]] with [[Health effects arising from the September 11, 2001 attacks|chronically ill]] [[Rescue and recovery effort after the September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11th rescue workers]] to shoot parts of the film. The United States is looking into whether this violates the [[United States embargo against Cuba|trade embargo]]. The film is currently ranked the third highest grossing documentary of all time<ref>{{cite web+ − + − + − + − + − + − + − ; ''[[Captain Mike Across America]]'' <ref>{{imdb title|0850669|Captain Mike}}</ref>: Moore takes a look at the politics of college students in what he calls "Bush Administration America" with this film shot during Moore's 60-city college campus tour in the months leading up to the 2004 election.<ref>{{cite web+ − + − + − | accessdate = 2007–09–07+ − }}</ref><ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0850669 Captain Mike Across America (2007)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The film was later re-edited by Moore into ''[[Slacker Uprising]]''.+ + + + + + + + + + + + − + − {{Unreferencedsection|date=August 2007}}+ − Between 1994 and 1995, he directed and hosted the [[BBC]] [[television]] series ''[[TV Nation]]'', which followed the format of news magazine shows but covered topics they avoid. The series aired on [[BBC Two|BBC2]] in the UK. The series was also aired in the US on [[NBC]] in 1994 for 9 episodes and again for 8 episodes on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] in 1995. − His other major series was ''[[The Awful Truth (TV show)|The Awful Truth]]'', which satirized actions by big corporations and politicians. It aired on [[Channel 4]] in the UK, and the [[Bravo (television network)|Bravo]] network in the US, in 1999 and 2000.+ + + − Another 1999 series, ''[[Michael Moore Live]]'', was aired in the UK only on [[Channel 4]], though it was broadcast from New York. This show had a similar format to ''The Awful Truth'', but also incorporated phone-ins and a live stunt each week.+ − In 1999 Moore won the [[Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment Award]] in Arts and Entertainment, for being the executive producer and host of ''The Awful Truth'', where he was also described as "muckraker, author and documentary filmmaker".+ − === Music videos ===+ − + − He also directed video for "[[R.E.M. (band)|R.E.M.]]" single "[[All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)]]" in 2001. In 2003 Moore directed a video for "[[System of a Down]]" song "[[Boom! (song)|Boom!]]".+ + + + + + + − === Appearances in other documentaries ===+ − * Moore appeared in ''The Drugging of Our Children'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0850665/| title=The Drugging of Our Children}} at the [[Internet Movie Database]]</ref> a 2005 documentary about over-prescription of psychiatric medication to children and teenagers, directed by [[Gary Null]] a proponent of [[Alternative Medicine]]. In the film Moore agrees with [[Gary Null]] that Ritalin and other similar drugs are over-prescribed, saying that they are seen as a "pacifier". − * Moore appeared on fellow Flint natives [[Grand Funk Railroad]]'s edition of [[Behind The Music]]. − * Moore appeared as an off-camera interviewer in ''[[Blood in the Face (1991 film)|Blood in the Face]]'', a 1991 documentary about [[white supremacy]] groups. The film centers around a [[neo-Nazi]] gathering in Michigan.<ref>{{imdb title|id=0101479|title=Blood in the Face}} Moore details his involvement in the audio commentary on the ''[[Roger & Me]]'' DVD.</ref> − * Moore appeared in ''[[The Yes Men (film)|The Yes Men]]'', a 2003 documentary about two men who pose as the [[World Trade Organization]]. He appears during a segment concerning working conditions in [[Mexico]] and [[Latin America]]. − * Moore was interviewed for the 2004 documentary, ''[[The Corporation]].'' One of his highlighted quotes was: "The problem is the profit motive: for corporations, there's no such thing as 'enough'".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thecorporation.com/index.cfm?page_id=3 | title=Who's Who | work=The Corporation Film}}</ref><!-- Having watched the July 1 show, I cannot see that this is correct. * Moore was interviewed by [[Charlie Rose]] in the summer of 2004, and was repeatedly asked what he thought the real reasons were for President Bush's alarmingly aggressive tactics and why so many liberties and rights were being flagrantly disregarded. Despite receiving the question five or six times, Moore's answer was consistently: "I don't know".<ref>{{YouTube|eBfChxsAQA4|Charlie Rose - MICHAEL MOORE (FROM 7/6/04 & 7/1/04)}}</ref> --> − * Moore appeared briefly in [[Alex Jones (radio)|Alex Jones]]'s 2005 film ''Martial Law 9/11: Rise of the Police State''. Jones asks Moore why he did not mention some of the information regarding the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11 attacks]] in his film ''[[Fahrenheit 9/11]]'', in particular, why he did not explain why [[NORAD]] stood down on that day. Moore replied, "Because it would be Un-American." − * Moore featured prominently in the 2005 documentary ''[[This Divided State]]'', which followed the heated level of controversy surrounding his visit to a conservative city in the United States two weeks before the 2004 election. − * Moore appeared in the 2006 documentary ''[[I'm Going to Tell You a Secret]]'', which chronicles [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] during her 2004 Re-Invention World Tour. Moore attended her show in [[New York City]] at [[Madison Square Garden]]. − == Writings and political views ==+ − Though Moore rejects the label "political activist,"<ref>{{ cite web | url = http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/custom/consumer/sfl-sicko-stribnbjul04,0,4636334.story | title = 'I am the balance', says Moore | work = Minneapolis Star Tribune | publisher = South Florida Sun-Sentinel | date = 4 July 2007 | quote = Moore rejects the label "political activist"; as a citizen of a democracy, Moore insists, such a description is redundant. | accessdate = 2007–07–06 }}</ref> he has been active in promoting his political views. According to [[John Flesher]] of the [[Associated Press]], Moore is known for his "fiery [[left-wing]] populism."<ref>{{ cite web | url = http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=9903 | publisher = MichaelMoore.com | work = Associated Press | title = Hollywood meets Bellaire as Moore gives sneak peek of "Sicko" | first = John | last = Flesher | date = 16 June 2007 | accessdate = 2007–07–06 | quote = But the filmmaker, known for his fiery left-wing populism and polemical films such as "Fahrenheit 9/11" and Oscar-winning "Bowling for Columbine," told the audience "Sicko" would appeal across the political spectrum.}}</ref> − Moore has authored three best-selling books:+ + − * ''[[Downsize This!]]'' (1996), about [[politics]] and [[corporate crime]] in the [[United States]],+ − * ''[[Stupid White Men]]'' (2001), ostensibly a critique of American domestic and foreign policy but, by Moore's own admission, "a book of political humor,"<ref>[http://www.opinionjournal.com/forms/printThis.html?id=110003233 Opinion Journal from the Wall Street Journal:] Unmoored from Reality. John Fund's Political Diary, 21 March 2003. URL accessed 29 August 2006.</ref> and+ − * ''[[Dude, Where's My Country?]]'' (2003), an examination of the [[Bush family|Bush family's]] relationships with [[House of Saud|Saudi royalty]], the [[Bin Laden family]], and the [[:Category:Energy companies of the United States|energy industry]], and a call-to-action for liberals in the [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004 election]]. − Despite having supported [[Ralph Nader]] in [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]], Moore urged Nader not to run in [[United States presidential election, 2004|the 2004 election]] so as not to split the left vote. (Moore joined [[Bill Maher]] on the latter's television show in kneeling before Nader to plead with him to stay out of the race.) In June 2004, Moore claimed he is not a member of the Democratic party. Although Moore endorsed General [[Wesley Clark]] for the [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic]] nomination on January 14, Clark withdrew from the primary race on February 11. Moore drew attention when charging publicly that Bush was [[desertion|AWOL]] during his service in the [[United States National Guard|National Guard]] (see [[George W. Bush military service controversy]]).+ + − With the 2004 election over, Moore continues to collect information on the war in Iraq and the Bush administration in addition to his film projects. On several occasions during 2007, he called for [[Al Gore]] to run for President.+ + + − On April 21, 2008, Moore endorsed [[Barack Obama]] for President, claiming that Clinton's recent actions had been "disgusting."<ref>[http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?messageDate=2008-04-21 My Vote's for Obama (if I could vote) ...by Michael Moore] April 21, 2008</ref>+ + − + − {{main|Michael Moore controversies}}+ + − Moore has been at the center of several controversies, mostly as a result of his leftist political views and directing style. − − == Published work == − === Bibliography === − − * {{cite book | last=Moore | first=Michael | title=[[Downsize This!|Downsize This! Random Threats from an Unarmed American]] | location=New York | publisher=HarperPerennial | year=1996 | isbn=0060977337}} − * {{cite book | last=Moore | first=Michael | coauthors=Glynn, Kathleen | title=[[Adventures In A TV Nation]] | location=New York | publisher=HarperPerennial | year=1998 | isbn=0060988096}} − * {{cite book | last=Moore | first=Michael | title=[[Stupid White Men|Stupid White Men ...and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation!]] | location=New York | publisher=Regan Books | year=2002 | isbn=0060392452}} − * {{cite book | last=Moore | first=Michael | title=[[Dude, Where's My Country?]] | location=New York | publisher=Warner Books | year=2003 | isbn=0446532231}} − * {{cite book | last=Moore | first=Michael | title=[[Will They Ever Trust Us Again?]] | location=New York | publisher=Simon & Schuster | year=2004 | isbn=0743271521}} − * {{cite book | last=Moore | first=Michael | title=[[The Official Fahrenheit 9/11 Reader]] | location=New York | publisher=Simon & Schuster | year=2004 | isbn=0743272927}} − * {{cite book | last=Moore | first=Michael | title=[[Mike's Election Guide 2008]] | location=New York | publisher=Grand Central Publishing | year=2008 | isbn=0446546275}} − − === Filmography === − − * ''[[Roger & Me]]'' (1989) − * ''[[Pets or Meat: The Return to Flint]]'' (1992) (TV) − * ''[[Canadian Bacon (film)|Canadian Bacon]]'' (1995) − * ''[[The Big One (film)|The Big One]]'' (1997) − * ''And Justice for All'' (1998) (TV) − * ''[[Lucky Numbers]]'' (2000) (as actor) − * ''[[Bowling for Columbine]]'' (2002) − * ''[[Fahrenheit 9/11]]'' (2004) "[[Palme d'Or]]" in [[2004 Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]] − * ''[[Sicko]]'' (2007) − * ''[[Captain Mike Across America]]'' (2007) − * ''[[Slacker Uprising]]'' (2008) − − === Television === − − * ''[[TV Nation]]'' (1994) − * ''[[The Awful Truth (TV show)|The Awful Truth]]'' (1999) − * ''[[Michael Moore Live]]'' (1999) − − == References == − {{reflist|2}} − − == External links == − * [http://www.michaelmoore.com/ Michael Moore] Official website − * {{imdb name|0601619}} − * [http://www.youtube.com/user/mmflint Michael Moore] on [[YouTube]] − *{{worldcat id|id=lccn-n96-98247}} − * A 2007 [http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/326/index.html NOW on PBS interview with Michael Moore] What makes him tick, and why our health care system ticks him off − − {{Michael Moore}} − − {{Persondata − | NAME=Moore, Michael Francis − | ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Moore, Michael − | SHORT DESCRIPTION=American film director, author, and social commentator − | DATE OF BIRTH=April 23, 1954 − | PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Davison, Michigan|Davison]], [[Michigan]] − | DATE OF DEATH= − | PLACE OF DEATH= − }} − + − + − [[Category:Alternative journalists]]+ − [[Category:Michigan Democrats]]+ − [[Category:American anti-war activists]] − [[Category:American anti-Iraq War activists]] − [[Category:American film actors]] − [[Category:American film directors]] − [[Category:American documentary filmmakers]] − [[Category:University of Michigan alumni]] − [[Category:American political writers]] − − − [[Category:César Award winners]] − [[Category:Documentary film directors]] − [[Category:Emmy Award winners]] − [[Category:Health activists]] − [[Category:American liberal activists]] − [[Category:Living people]] − [[Category:Irish-American writers]] − [[Category:Michigan actors]] − [[Category:Michigan writers]] − [[Category:National Rifle Association members]] − [[Category:Roman Catholic writers]] − [[Category:People from Detroit, Michigan]] − [[Category:People from Flint, Michigan]] − [[Category:Eagle Scouts]] − − [[ar:مايكل مور]] − [[ast:Michael Moore]] − [[bg:Майкъл Мур]] − [[ca:Michael Moore]] − [[cs:Michael Moore]] − [[cy:Michael Moore]] − [[da:Michael Moore]] − [[de:Michael Moore]] − [[es:Michael Moore]] − [[eo:Michael Moore]] − [[eu:Michael Moore]] − [[fa:مایکل مور]] − [[fr:Michael Moore]] − [[gv:Michael Moore]] − [[gl:Michael Moore]] − [[ko:마이클 무어]] − [[hr:Michael Moore]] − [[io:Michael Moore]] − [[id:Michael Moore]] − [[it:Michael Moore]] − [[he:מייקל מור]] − [[lt:Michael Moore]] − [[hu:Michael Moore]] − [[nl:Michael Moore]] − [[ja:マイケル・ムーア]] − [[no:Michael Moore]] − [[nn:Michael Moore]] − [[oc:Michael Moore]] − [[pl:Michael Moore]] − [[pt:Michael Moore]] − [[ru:Мур, Майкл]] − [[simple:Michael Moore]] − [[sk:Michael Moore]] − [[sr:Мајкл Мур]] − [[fi:Michael Moore]] − [[sv:Michael Moore]] − [[tr:Michael Moore]] − [[uk:Мур Майкл]] − [[yi:מייקל מאור]] − [[zh:麥可·摩爾]]
Reverted edits by AnthonyToddler (Talk) to last version by TerryH
[[Image:Michael-Moore.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
'''Michael Moore''' (born April 23, 1954) is a [[liberal|left wing]], admitted [[socialist]] filmmaker and [[conspiracy theorist]]. Moore is critical of the US government, as can be seen in his reply to the question "You do not seem to like the U.S., do you?":
{{cquote|I like America to some extent. … Americans are simple and clear. They are charming people. You will understand how good an individual American is. What I am not satisfied with America is that the nation cannot control the government and economy. Only a handful of people have the power to control the country.<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=32174</ref>}}
| cesarawards = '''[[César Award for Best Foreign Film|Best Foreign Film]]'''<br>2002 ''[[Bowling for Columbine]]''
| awards = '''[[Palme d'Or|Golden Palm (Palme d'Or)]]'''<br>2004 ''[[Fahrenheit 9/11]]''
'''Michael Francis Moore''' (born April 23, 1954) is an [[Academy Award]]-winning [[United States|American]] filmmaker, author, and [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] [[political commentator]]. He is the director and producer of ''[[Bowling for Columbine]]'', ''[[Fahrenheit 9/11]]'', and ''[[Sicko]]'', three of the top five highest-grossing [[Documentary film|documentaries]] of all time.<ref>{{cite web | author=Allmovie | title=Michael Moore filmography | url=http://wc03.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=2:103383 | publisher=[[Allmovie]] | year=2007 | accessdate=2007-07-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Documentary Movies |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=documentary.htm |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |year=2007 |accessdate=2007-11-12 }}</ref> In September 2008, he released his first free movie on the Internet, ''[[Slacker Uprising]]'', documenting his personal crusade to encourage more Americans to vote in presidential elections. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meeja.com.au/index.php?display_article_id=258 |title=Michael Moore releases Slacker Uprising for free on Net
==Manufacturing consent==
He is a hero in [[liberal]] Hollywood and to booksellers who tend to agree with his politics. Moore's films and commentaries are often based on themes of alleged "capitalist" greed. Though a multi-millionaire, Moore frequently appears on television and in photos dressed like blue-collar workers with whom he attempts to identify.
Moore produced a movie portraying President [[George W. Bush]] as part of a massive conspiracy, named ''Fahrenheit 9/11''.
Moore was born in [[Davison, Michigan|Davison]]<ref name=Davison>[http://movies.nytimes.com/person/103383/Michael-Moore New York Times profile]</ref> a suburb of [[Flint, Michigan|Flint]], [[Michigan]] to parents Veronica, a secretary, and Frank Moore, an automotive assembly-line worker.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Moore Biography (1954-) |url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/47/Michael-Moore.html|publisher=Film Reference|accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref> At that time, the city of Flint was home to many [[General Motors]] [[factory|factories]], where his parents and grandfather worked. His uncle was one of the founders of the [[United Automobile Workers]] [[trade union|labor union]] and participated in the [[Flint Sit-Down Strike]]. Moore has described his parents as "[[Irish Catholic]] Democrats, basic liberal good people."<ref>{{cite news | author=Ron Sheldon | title=Exclusive Interview with Michael Moore of TV Nation | url=http://www.pww.org/archives95/95-09-23-3.html | work=People's Weekly World | date=23 September 1995 | accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref>
Moore was brought up [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] and attended St. John's Elementary School for primary school.<ref name="Moorereligion">{{cite news | author=Richard Knight, Jr.| title=To Your Health: A Talk with Sicko's Michael Moore | publisher=Windy City Media Group | date=2007-06-27 | url=http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=15370 | accessdate=2007-06-27}}</ref><ref>Primeau, François. ''American Dissident'', Lulu Press, 2007.</ref> He then attended Davison High School, where he was active in both drama and debate,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-06-20-moore_x.htm | title=The truth about Michael Moore | author=Gary Strauss | work=USA Today | date=June 20, 2004 | accessdate = 2006–07–09}}</ref> graduating in 1972. At the age of 18, he was elected to the Davison [[school board]].<ref>[http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?messageDate=1999-12-12 MichaelMoore.com: The Day I Was To be Tarred and Feathered]</ref>
Moore was the producer and host of the television series "The Awful Truth," which was typified by a type of sketch-comedy activism that was often directed against large corporations and government agencies.
Moore's movie "Bowling for Columbine", which used the Columbine school massacre as a starting point, won the Acadamy Award for Best Documentary. Some of his other work includes the anti-corporate film ''Roger and Me'' and the books ''Dude, Where's my Country'', ''Downsize This! Random Threats from an Unarmed American'' and ''Stupid White Men''.
Moore also directed the anti-war music video for "Boom!" by [[System of a Down]], which was released to coincide with the beginning of the [[Iraq war]].
His production company which produces feature documentary-style films is Michael Moore Films.<ref>http://www.michaelmoore.com/</ref>
Moore was a high-profile guest at both the [[2004 Democratic National Convention]] and the [[2004 Republican National Convention]], chronicling his impressions in ''[[USA Today]]''. He was criticized in a speech by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Senator [[John McCain]] as "a disingenuous film-maker." Moore laughed and waved as Republican attendees jeered, later chanting "four more years." Moore [[Types of gestures#Loser|gestured his thumb and finger]] at the crowd, which translates into "loser."<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/31/mccain.moore/index.html ''Delegates relish McCain jab at filmmaker Moore''] CNN.com. 31 August 2006.</ref>
Michael Moore was the subject of the 2004 documentaries ''Michael Moore Hates America''<ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411646/</ref>, ''Fahrenhype 9/11''<ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427228/</ref> and the 2007 documentary ''Manufacturing Dissent''.<ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0961117/</ref> He was also the subject of books including ''Michael Moore Is a Big Fat Stupid White Man'' by David T. Hardy and Jason Clarke<ref>http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Moore-Big-Stupid-White/dp/0060779608/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-2466588-5816760?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174624100&sr=1-1</ref> and ''Forgive Us Our Spins: Michael Moore and the Future of the Left'' by Jesse Larner.<ref>http://www.amazon.com/Forgive-Us-Our-Spins-Michael/dp/047179306X/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-2466588-5816760?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174623950&sr=8-1</ref>
[[Image:Moore html.jpg|right|thumb|Michael Moore, ranting|175px]]
== Sicko ==
In his comedy documentary, ''[[Sicko]]'', Michael Moore argued for the revamping of the American health care system, and supported that of [[Canada]], [[United Kingdom|Britain]], [[Cuba]], and [[France]]. Sicko was released in late June 2007. In this documentary, Moore argues for a nationalized health care system, citing the supposed positive effects from the health care systems of the aforementioned countries, and the supposed negative effects stemming from the health care system of the United States. <ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386032/</ref><ref>http://www.michaelmoore.com/sicko/about/synopsis/</ref> Sicko received much criticism for dishonestly ignoring the problems with, in particular, the British national health service <ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/minette_marrin/article2753620.ece</ref>
=== Acting career ===
==Criticisms of Sicko==
Kurt Loder of [[MTV|MTV news]] alleged:
<blockquote>"Michael Moore may see himself as working in the tradition of such crusading muckrakers of the last century as Lincoln Steffens, Ida Tarbell and Upton Sinclair — writers whose dedication to exposing corruption and social injustices played a part in sparking much-needed reforms. In his new movie, "Sicko," Moore focuses on the U.S. health-care industry — a juicy target — and he casts a shocking light on some of the people it's failed.<br>
Moore describes himself as a [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]].<ref name="Moorec1">{{cite news | last=Rahner | first=Mark | title="Sicko," new Michael Moore film, takes on the health-care system | work=The Seattle Times | date=2007-06-26 | url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2003762133_michaelmoore26.html | accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref><ref name="Moorec2">{{cite news | last=Elliott | first=David | title=Moral outrage, humor make up Michael Moore's one-two punch | publisher=SignOnSanDiego | date=2007-06-29 | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20070629-9999-1c29moore.html | accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref>
Unfortunately, Moore is also suspected of being selective with the truth, and never more so than in this film. His cherry-picked facts, manipulative interviews (with lingering close-ups of distraught people breaking down in tears) and blithe assertions (how does he know 18,000* people will die this year because they have no health insurance?) are so stacked that you can feel his whole argument sliding sideways as the picture unspools. The American health-care system is in urgent need of reform, no question. Some 47 million people are uninsured (although many are only temporarily so, being either in-between jobs or young enough not to feel a pressing need to buy health insurance). There are a number of proposals as to what might be done to correct this situation. Moore has no use for any of them, save one.<br>
As a proud socialist, the director appears to feel that there are few problems in life that can't be solved by government regulation (that would be the same government that's already given us the U.S. Postal Service and the Department of Motor Vehicles). In the case of health care, though, Americans have never been keen on socialized medicine. <ref>http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1563758/story.jhtml</ref>
</blockquote>
==Earnings==
Michael Moore's films have grossed worldwide in excess of $200,000,000.00. A breakdown for just the [[United States of America]] is below.
{| style="background:white" border="1" class="wikitable"
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center"|Michael Moore's Gross US box office film earnings<ref>[http://www.the-numbers.com/people/directors/MIMOO.php The Numbers]</ref><ref>http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386032/business</ref>
|-
! Film
! U.S. Gross $
| title =Documentary Movies
|-
| work =Genres
| Roger & Me
| publisher =[[Box Office Mojo]]
|style="text-align:right"| $6,706,368
| year =2007
|-
| url =http://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=documentary.htm
| Canadian Bacon
| accessdate =2008-01-31 }}</ref> and received an [[Academy Award]] nomination for [[Academy Award for Documentary Feature|Best Documentary Feature]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i587be3b0ca27043557eff60b69803664 | title=Shortlist for docu Oscar unveiled |accessdate=2008-01-31|date=2007-11-20|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
|style="text-align:right"| $178,104
|-
| url = http://www.tiff07.ca/filmsandschedules/schedules/calendarlist.aspx?date=07
| The Big One
| title = Toronto International Film Festival
|style="text-align:right"| $720,074
|-
| Bowling for Columbine
|style="text-align:right"| $21,576,018
|-
| Fahrenheit 9/11
|style="text-align:right"| $119,114,517
|-
| Sicko
|style="text-align:right"| $24,540,079
|-
| '''TOTAL'''
|style="text-align:right"| '''$172,835,160'''
|}
=== Television shows ===
==Treasury investigation==
According to ''Reuters'' in June 2007, Moore is reported to have hidden assets in Canada in reaction to an official investigation. Moore was operating offshore in Cuba allegedly as a "journalistic endeavor." The United States Treasury Department does not confirm or deny the existence of investigations. <ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN1119539820070613 Moore fears film seizure after Cuba trip], Michelle Nichols, ''Reuters'', June 12, 2007. </ref>
==Criticism==
'''[[Christopher Hitchens]]''' said of Fahrenheit 9/11, and Moore's work:
{{Cquote|To describe this film as dishonest and demagogic would be to promote those terms to the level of respectability. To describe this film as a piece of crap would be to run the risk of a discourse that would never again rise above the excremental…Fahrenheit 9/11 is a sinister exercise in moral frivolity, crudely disguised as an exercise in seriousness. It is also a spectacle of abject political cowardice masking itself as a demonstration of 'dissenting' bravery." <ref>[http://slate.com/id/2102723/ The lies of Michael Moore]. By Christopher Hitchens, //Slate'', June 21, 2004.</ref><ref>[http://www.newmediajournal.us/guest/p_ibbetson/06092007.htm Michael Moore: A Criminal Profile], Paul A. Ibbetson, ''New Media Journal, June 9, 2007,</ref>}}
In 2004, Moore warned that if [[George W. Bush|Bush]] was re-elected as President: "...he's going to bring back the draft. He will be forced to. Because, thanks to his crazy war, recruitment is going to be at an all-time low. And many of the troops stuck over there are NOT going to re-enlist. The only way Bush is going to be able to staff the military is to draft you and your friends. Parents, make no mistake about it - Bush's second term will see your sons taken from you and sent to fight wars for the oily rich."<ref>Moore, Michael [http://www.clark04.com/moore/ ''I'll Be Voting For Wesley Clark/Good-Bye Mr. Bush''] 14 January 2004; Clark for President site. Accessed 17 March 2008</ref> Over four years later, the draft had not been reintroduced.
Moore says that corporations are "terrorists" and has said "I don't own a single share of stock" but IRS records showed he owned at least several hundreds of thousand dollars in stocks in Pentagon contractors like Boeing, pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly, and even Halliburton, the company most vilified by Moore in ''Fahrenheit 9/11''.
Moore uses a private jet on his book tours and stays at the Ritz Carlton hotel when in [[London]], but conducts press interviews in a cheap hotel nearby to give reporters the impression he is staying there instead. Moore calls himself "an Average Joe from Flint, MI" and says, "Once you’re working class, you’re always working class". The reality is that hypocrite Moore lives a luxury-class lifestyle out of reach of most Flint residents.
Moore has directed several music videos, including two for [[Rage Against the Machine]] for songs from "[[The Battle of Los Angeles (album)|The Battle of Los Angeles]]": "[[Sleep Now in the Fire]]" and "[[Testify (Rage Against the Machine song)|Testify]]". He was threatened with arrest during the shooting of "Sleep Now in the Fire", which was filmed on [[Wall Street]]; the city of [[New York City|New York]] had denied the band permission to play there, although the band and Moore had secured a federal permit to perform.<ref>[http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2000/397/397p24c.htm Green Left Weekly:] Rage against Wall Street. Michael Moore, via MichaelMoore.com, date unspecified. URL accessed 9 July 2006.</ref>
Moore says that Americans who live in white neighborhoods are racist, but lives in a town (Central Lake, Michigan) which according to the 2000 Census, had a black population of zero.
==Wikipedia controversy==
[[Image:Moorecagan.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Moore with [[Leslie Cagan]] [[United For Peace and Justice]]]]
Michael Moore's official website [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Requests_for_arbitration/Attack_sites/Proposed_decision#Michael_Moore] put an image and name of a [[Wikipedia]] editor on its main page with links to edit both Wikipedia's article on ''[[Sicko]]'' and the Wikipedia editor's user page. Wikipedia policy explicitly states,
:"A website that engages in the practice of publishing private information concerning the identities of Wikipedia participants will be regarded as an attack site whose pages should not be linked to from Wikipedia pages '''under any circumstances'''."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Requests_for_arbitration/MONGO#Outing_sites_as_attack_sites]
Wikipedia Dispute Resolution policy stated aim is to "primarily investigate interpersonal disputes" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Arbitration_policy#Scope] and not content disputes. Policy further states,
:"Links to attack sites may be removed by any user...Deliberately linking to an attack site may be grounds for blocking." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Requests_for_arbitration/MONGO#Links_to_attack_site]
Wikipedia Conflict of interest policy states, "Adding material that appears to promote the interests or visibility of an article's author, his family members, employer, associates, or his business or personal interests, places the author in a conflict of interest." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:COI#What_is_a_conflict_of_interest.3F] and "Campaigning. Activities regarded by insiders as simply "getting the word out" may appear promotional or propagandistic to the outside world... may have a conflict of interest."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:COI#Examples]
Protection of Wikipedia editors from activities targeting editors for harassment also states,"Any user, including an administrator using administrative powers, may remove or otherwise defeat attempts at harassment of a user. This includes harassment directed at the user themselves."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Requests_for_arbitration/MONGO#Combatting_harassment], and finally, "It is unacceptable to harass another user."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Requests_for_arbitration/MONGO#Harrassment]
Unequivocally, Michael Moore's official website, michaelmoore.com, engaged in egregious violations of multiple Wikipedia policies warranting blocking of users from Michael Moore's website, and editors linking to it. Further, official Wikipedia policy states all links to Michael Moore’s website from Wikipedia must be removed.
In discussion of the case, harassment and intimidation of a Wikipedia editor was excused, whose expertise on the subject of healthcare was characterized as "an attorney, who is a Fellow at the [[American Enterprise Institute]], a [[conservative]] think tank." [http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikien-l/2007-October/083230.html] The interpersonal nature of the attack was ignored by Wikipedia's rule making body, in favor of,
:"a bunch of considerations. One is that ''Sicko'', finally, brings to public attention information which has not been generally presented by American media. This is right up our alley... we and whoever runs Moore's website look ridiculous. ..."
Wikipedia's Neutral Point of View (NPOV), laid down by founder [[Jimbo Wales]] allegedly is "absolute and non-negotiable."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Neutral_point_of_view][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Neutral_point_of_view#_note-0] Wikipedia Arbitration Chairman stated,
:"Obviously we need to make an exception for prominent people whose viewpoint we support."
When asked what he learned from the Michael Moore experience, the Chairman said,
:"If a powerful [[leftwing]] celebrity attacks a [[rightwing]] Wikipedia editor on his website, his supporters on Wikipedia should be able, as a practical matter, to prevent removal of links to his site."
==See also==
*[[Schlockumentary]]
*[[Previous Breaking News/Michael Moore|Articles about '''Michael Moore''' from previous "Breaking News"]]
==References==
<references/>
== Controversy ==
==External links==
*[http://www.racewire.org/archives/2007/07/moore_attacks_cnn_network_spew.html Moore attacks CNN network, spews anti-South Asian sentiments], ''RaceWire.org'', July 10, 2007.
*[http://lists.wikimedia.org/pipermail/wikien-l/2007-October/082987.html WikiEN-l Harassment sites], Sun Oct 14 19:27:21 UTC 2007.
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[[Category:Michael Moore| ]]
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