Michael Moore plans Bush-bin Laden film

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bangla

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LOS ANGELES, March 28 (UPI) -- Filmmaker Michael Moore's next project might be more controversial than his Oscar-winning documentary "Bowling for Columbine."

According to a report in Friday's Daily Variety, Moore is working on a documentary about the "the murky relationship" between former President George Bush and the family of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. The paper said the movie, "Fahrenheit 911," will suggest that the bin Laden family profited greatly from the association.

Moore's anti-war, anti-Bush Oscar acceptance speech provoked a mixture of cheers and boos at the Academy Awards last Sunday.

In addition to the Best Documentary Oscar, "Bowling for Columbine" also had an extraordinarily robust bottom line. Made for about $3 million, it has grossed nearly $40 million worldwide -- making it one of the most commercially successful documentaries of all time.

Variety reported that Moore is working out a deal with Mel Gibson's production company, Icon Productions, to finance "Fahrenheit 911."

According to Moore, the former president had a business relationship with Osama bin Laden's father, Mohammed bin Laden, a Saudi construction magnate who left $300 million to Osama bin Laden. It has been widely reported that bin Laden used the inheritance to finance global terrorism.

Moore said the bin Laden family was heavily invested in the Carlyle Group, a private global investment firm that the filmmaker said frequently buys failing defense companies and then sells them at a profit. Former President Bush has reportedly served as a senior adviser with the firm.

"The senior Bush kept his ties with the bin Laden family up until two months after Sept. 11," said Moore.

Moore told Variety the primary focus of the new project will be to examine what has happened to the United States since the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. He accused the Bush administration of using a tragic event to push its agenda.

"It (the new project) certainly does deal with the Bush and bin Laden ties," said Moore. "It asks a number of questions that I don't have the answers to yet, but which I intend to find out."

Moore said he expects the new movie to be in U.S. theaters in time for the 2004 presidential election.

While some critics accused Moore of being anti-American for his Oscar speech, Moore told Variety business has been very good for his movie and his best-selling book "Stupid White Men: And Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation."

"I expressed exactly what was in the film and instead of being blacklisted, I've not only gotten a deal to fund 'Fahrenheit 911' but offers on the film after," he said. "Presales on ('Bowling for Columbine's') video release ran ahead of 'Chicago' this week, and my book is returning to the top spot on the New York Times best-seller list."

Moore said the success of his documentary and book reflects majority public support for his political argument.

"It's because the majority of Americans agree with me, see the economy in the toilet and didn't vote for George W," he said. "People are now realizing you can question your government while still caring about the soldiers."

Published 3/28/2003 4:00 PM
Copyright © 2001-2003 United Press International
URL : http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20030328-032440-7289r
 
The-poacher

The-poacher

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the man is a con artist pure & simple <<>> he is not an idealist just in it for the money <<>> but then so are his targets so who gives a sH*t!!
 
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dx

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Agreed! He nearly lost that coveted little Oscar when it was discovered that he staged some of the scenes in "Bowling for Columbine." When the allegations became known, Moore was smart and only went on Television stations (to promote his nomination) that he knew would not ask him any negative questions about it. Without a denial or confirmation of the charges, the controversy quietly went away.

Moore privately used the phrase "or may employ partial re-enactment" (part of rule #1 ;)) in his appeal to the Academy committee. He claimed he was just re-enacting what he had seen before. Otherwise "Columbine" could be considered a work of fiction and would be ineligible in that category.

Sadly, the Academy forgot about rule #2 for the Documentary category.....

"A film that is primarily a promotional film, a purely technical instructional film or an essentially unfiltered record of a performance will not be considered eligible for consideration for the Documentary awards."

After his statements at the recent Awards and all the events afterwards..... even a blind man can see he is a BIG self promoter! In all honesty, $3 Million dollars is a great deal of money spent on a Documentary. His best competitor in the category only spent $250 thousand!

As with all things in Hollywood, Moore is the flavour of the month. Soon to be forgotten for a new flavour!
 
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eddieb

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Moore is a fu**ing idiot. Plain and simple. You never see or hear him criticize Hollywood. Do you? I bet that if they stopped giving him awards and money for his bullshit, Hollywood would be on the receiving end of his crap.
 
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dx

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eddieb said:
You never see or hear him criticize Hollywood. Do you? I bet that if they stopped giving him awards and money for his bullshit, Hollywood would be on the receiving end of his crap.
Click to expand...
Actually Moore WAS critical of Hollywood at one time bud. Back in the days of "Roger & Me," he was quite critical of the Industry for not promoting this and other of his earlier films. But Moore like others, learned how to play "the game" in Hollywood. Some call it selling your soul to the Devil. ;)

It seems Moore has sold his soul, as his criticism of big business (Moore's biggest theme in his works) seems to have been lost when it comes to one of America's biggest..... the Film Industry!
 
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eddieb

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Moore himself is big business now, right. And his lack of self criticism pretty much shows how he has sold out. It seems like the old saying " Do as I say, not as I do."
 
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scarecrow

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Picking up the Academy golden statue speaks by itself about values...
Having seen both Scorcese's and Almodovar's films that were competing this year I could not understand how at hell they could not win outright- especially Alomodovar's movie will be an all-time classic and surely his best one by a huge margin.
But Hollywood has its own means punishing the bad boys...
 
Laz

Laz

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I totaly agree with you scarecrow on that. ;)

Talk to her was fantastic as too Gangs of New York. If one man proved that the oscars are indeed a pile of cr@p and hardly ever go to the worthy winner it was Peter O'Toole who had to be given an honoury oscar. The man should have won at least 2 or 3 for best actor in his career with Lawrence of Arabia being the biggest cert for best actor in the entire history of cinema.

Hollywood, don't ya just love it? :p
 
banzibaby

banzibaby

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Maybe he has sold his soul 4 money, but have'nt we all at some time.I used 2 like his old tv show on Ch4 in Uk.But i think a comedian called Mark Thomas does it a lot better.He can be very political, but he asks big buisiness & arms industry & others the questions no 1 else will & manages 2 make U laugh & think at the same time.I ain't seen Bowling 4 Columbine, so cant really comment on it

BaNzI:)
 
banzibaby

banzibaby

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Who?? U mean Michael Moore or Mark Thomas.I just think the second guy puts it in a way that even the most simple thinker can grasp.But he don't just do it 4 a laugh, he tries 2 make us all think of the waste of money & other such issues our governments & big companies would rather were forgotten about

As for Michael Moore, i not seen enough of his stuff apart from some tv shows, but i thought he had guts 2 make his speech the way he did.If i rem he got mostly booed, but the latest hollywood golden boy got a rousing applause 4 his speech(dont know the name, cause i never heard of him):DI take it the film Bowling 4 Columbine is about what happened at the school or is it about the pro-gun lobby??But i think they both do a good job, like poacher says, they have started a great disscussion

BaNzI:D
 
Phil K

Phil K

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The-poacher said:
the man is a con artist pure & simple <<>> he is not an idealist just in it for the money <<>> but then so are his targets so who gives a sH*t!!
Click to expand...
I may be dead against this daft war, but Mr Moore is a chancer, and a dickhead that loves the sound of his own voice.:rolleyes:
 
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dx

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Laz said:
If one man proved that the oscars are indeed a pile of cr@p and hardly ever go to the worthy winner it was Peter O'Toole who had to be given an honoury oscar. The man should have won at least 2 or 3 for best actor in his career with Lawrence of Arabia being the biggest cert for best actor in the entire history of cinema.

Hollywood, don't ya just love it? :p
Click to expand...

Here here! It is a big shame that he has been overlooked again and again for his performances. O'Toole is briliant in "Lawrence of Arabia." An incredible performance in a breathtaking seminal film. Many of the most famous Directors of our day, have praised it as a source of inspiration..... including Marty Scorcese (who was robbed this year IMHO).

Sadly the Academy Awards have degenerated into a popularity contest. The amount of money spent on promoting a film to win is getting way out of control and is truly sickening. The studios may as well just go out and purchase them from now on. :rolleyes:
 
daveml

daveml

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Anyone who uses an entertainment event in which they are only a small part to give out political bullshit is a just a publicity seeking wanker.
We had the front man of Coldplay giving an anti-war speech at a cancer charity gig last week.
Noel Gallagher put him right:
" The guy is just a student with no f$£^ing mind of his own. If him and his gawky bird want to make a political statement, they should do it at their own gigs"
I totally agree.
 
Phil K

Phil K

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daveml said:
Anyone who uses an entertainment event in which they are only a small part to give out political bullshit is a just a publicity seeking wanker.
We had the front man of Coldplay giving an anti-war speech at a cancer charity gig last week.
Noel Gallagher put him right:
" The guy is just a student with no f$£^ing mind of his own. If him and his gawky bird want to make a political statement, they should do it at their own gigs"
I totally agree.
Click to expand...
You dont often find Mr Gallagher at the forefront of mainstream opinion, but, as an anti-war-type-person, I too say "Here Here" these pose striking turds get on my tits - and as I say - I'm against the war ! :rolleyes: :mad:
 
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poncho

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Bowling for Columbine was an OK movie, however is now trying to push the limits and try to cash in on the Anti-War/Anti-Bush followers. I will never see his new movie and do not support Michael Moore.
 
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ChiMusic

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need attention

Jerry Springer Show is booked up. TOO many people have been trying to get THERE on for attention. One postive thing about all them is you learn to stay away from their FAMILIES as that is where they came from, they just flaunt insanity publicly now. The only good theatricals is LOONEY TOONS as that is real for their reality and ACCEPTABLE! But if you look closely you might have neigbors dressed like Goofy, Mickey Mouse and Road Runner. Porky Pig is a good one too.

If you want to see LOOSERS, check who watches the bachelor etc etc. The good old days DRUNK in a bar and idiots were seen as idiots was great, you HAD to be drunk to SEE them. Now they are everywhere and you are supposd to think they are normal SOBER in the street. People who write and let commercials on TV are just as hallucinatory. But then again their audience is on a 13 year old level now and many never saw advanced gadgets prior in life.

MY opinion:
2003 Mexico has to to have a new national occupation, open orphanages for 200 million people from the world.
 
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