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Posted on Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.

Michael Moore coming to University of Michigan for "Roger and Me" anniversary

By Jenn McKee

030710_MOORE.jpg

Michael Moore

AP

Filmmaker Michael Moore will be in Ann Arbor this month for a public Q&A, following a free screening of his breakthrough first film, "Roger & Me" (1989), which documented the Flint native's attempts to talk with then-GM CEO Roger Smith about the local effects of downsizing and plant closings.

The University of Michigan screenwriting program is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the film. The event starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18 in Angell Hall's Auditorium A, at 435 S. State St. Screenwriting department coordinator Jim Burnstein will introduce Moore at the beginning of the film, and before the Q&A.

The auditorium only seats 300, and the doors will open 15 minutes before the film's scheduled start time (first come, first seated). Given the immense popularity of previous local appearances by Moore — he has in the past easily filled the 1,700-seat Michigan Theater — I'd recommend getting there early. Really, really early.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.

Comments

jcj

Sun, Mar 7, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.

Michael Moore follows the money just like Al Gore! What a noble cause. He is no better than most televangelist.

bedrog

Sat, Mar 6, 2010 : 11:34 a.m.

@ V...i always thought, until you set me straight, that 'progressive' meant advocating public policies that moved the society "ahead" ( i.e. progress) in kinder, wiser and more fair minded directions... but you have pointed out that im wrong and its just "thinking for yourself". so thanks.... however, aside from noting that every psychotic could claim his/her own unique set of delusions ( "thinking for himself'), nowadays "progressive' increasingly seems to mean the same thing as "right wing nut"...i.e an obsession with pre-fab, cookie cutter ( down to the slogns)unsubstantiated crackpottery derived from a runaway internet ( whether its anti-evolutionism, and 'obama is not an american' nonsense on the right) or neo-nazi antisemitism disguised as "human rights' on the left ( check out our local "green party"!!). all of this facilitated by the wonderful 'web" ( and sometimes FOX news personalities on the right, and maybe john stewart/al franken on the slightly leftish...but at least they're witty and bright). as is michael moore, who makes no messianic claims to god's truth that im aware of. bridging the divide between left and right is your 9/11 conspiracy nonsense,( which evidently just lost one of its recruits in the pentagon shootings 2 days ago). condolences!

sh1

Sat, Mar 6, 2010 : 10:37 a.m.

I'm a fan of Moore's but agree he is biased. It's sort of like the antidote to Fox News, only he doesn't pretend to be fair and balanced. His agenda is pretty clear.

bedrog

Sat, Mar 6, 2010 : 7:52 a.m.

@ V...well you sure convinced me of the merits of the conspiracy community and the virtues of your clear "haves vs have nots" world, in which 'having not = automatic right and virtue". accordingly i look forward to seeing the easter bunny in a few weeks and maybe nabbing that elusive tooth fairy someday...whoops gotta run! a black helicopter is heading for the house!

bedrog

Fri, Mar 5, 2010 : 5:34 p.m.

the particular poster who goes by one letter and who calls him/her self a 'progressive' believes in 9/11 conspiracy theories, disbelieves in global warming, and seems to regard the internet and its trove of unvetted looniness as 'data'... well,that's why the term 'progressive' nowadays is so suspect and in such disrepute to real traditional progressives ( like me) as well as everyone else...

David Briegel

Thu, Mar 4, 2010 : 2:54 a.m.

fishnuts or stunhsif, You know where we can all get paid 50 million to bankrupt our company? Look up "fiduciary responsibility". You could use a trip to the Diag for an attitude adjustment!

Moose

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 10:33 p.m.

What some of the poster here know about documentary film making would fit in those little holes in the film that go around the projector sprocket gears.

stunhsif

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 10:12 p.m.

David B, some of us need to go back up to the diag and smoke another hooter and contribute to Al Gore's "Global Warming" or do we now call it " Climate Change" seeing that the Global Warming thing got busted for being a total FARCE!!! I am totally confused, since I've been spending too much time up at the diag. Help me out bro. One thing is for certain, GM went bancrupt all B'cause of Roger Smith, the union and their legacy costs had nothing to do with it? If you believe that, I'll sell you some expensive real estate here in Michigan.

Denise Hubbard

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 9:05 p.m.

Moore vs Mohr?? There is another director that is taking the whole Michael Moore genre to a new level. Sandra Mohr put out "Stock Shock" and it's worth a view. DVD is pretty much everywhere. The trailer is at www.stockshockmovie.com. DVD is cheaper there.

David Briegel

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 8:36 p.m.

V, thanks for responding to tdw for me. Moose, I was at work! You all would benefit from another viewing of his films to see just how right he is about most of his claims!

Moose

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 8:14 p.m.

Hey Jenn @A2.com! did you ever think that this thread would get this many comments? and notice that right wing comments rise when everyone gets home from work? Must be they're the only ones with jobs! LOL!

The Picker

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 6:07 p.m.

Michael Moore is just another rich contrarian entertainer, preying on stupid librals' pocketbooks. If he were for real, he would have donated all his money to the common man by now.

Macabre Sunset

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 5:56 p.m.

I wouldn't call what Moore does "documentary" film-making. A documentary is supposed to show something as it is in real life. It documents reality. Moore has a specific agenda, and he uses pieces of film, often out of sequence and out of context, to advance his political views. It's no more documenting reality than The Wizard of Oz documents the lives of witches. But it's tremendously entertaining to those who share his politics.

tdw

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 5:50 p.m.

@Brigel Ok so what does that have to do with Micheal Moore?

Jake C

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 5:40 p.m.

@EyeHeartA2: Why do you need to trot out such a blatant lie that's so easily proven false? Davison is a small town less than 10 miles form downtown Flint. Bloomfield Hills is roughly 25 miles from Detroit, and Birmingham is 20 miles away, which is pretty much an eternity when it comes to the Metro Detroit area. And if I live in Pittsfield Township, does that mean I'm not able to discuss life in Ann Arbor? Also, I have no idea why people seem to think Michael Moore is interchangeable with President Obama or our current Congress. Capitalism: A Love Story pretty much showed what Moore thinks of our current state of government and the people who truly run this country (Hint: It's not the politicians, it's the corporations (although it is difficult to tell the two apart these days)).

David Briegel

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 5:18 p.m.

Top Cat, which part of "that giant sucking sound" didn't you get? uawisok is correct! tdw, "the only people who could keep us safe", DIDN'T! Because Condi never dreamed "of flyinp planes into buildings" like Dick Clark warned them! I still enjoy watching Michael's films as he pokes serious fun at our lunacy and failures. Sometimes it's tough to look in that mirror!

stunhsif

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 5:11 p.m.

And now I have one more good reason to be disgusted with the University of Michigan. Michael Moore, what a sicko indeed!

uawisok

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 4:45 p.m.

"deficit's don't matter" Dick Cheney and the reason the recovery is jobless is NAFTA...Ross Perot callled that one

Top Cat

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 4:19 p.m.

President Oborrow's trillion dollar deficits and jobless "recovery" represent Michael Moore's policies in action. You're seeing it live folks. No need to go to the theatre.

tdw

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 3:45 p.m.

@V What?? I don't get it

Atticus F.

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 3:17 p.m.

I'm a huge Micheal Moore fan...Although, we'll just have to agree to disagree about the views promoted in Bowling for Columbine.

Moose

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 2:56 p.m.

Even though Mr Moore won an Oscar and the Palme D'or in Cannes his real success as a filmmaker can be gaged by how much attention he gets when he opens his mouth or makes a new film.

Lokalisierung

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.

Moose I'm pretty much right there with you. There seems to be a line for me that I don't ewnjoy crossing, and it's very hard to define. All Docs must be edited and as soon as process starts its's almost impossible not to put a point of view to it. Take the 'Amercia Undercover' series on HBO years ago for some of the finest Docs IMO. There is fair less narritive going on in them. Let's hang out with these shoplifters and see where it goes. Let's let the cameras roll while this dad goes to raves with his kids. To me that is a better form of Doc than, "I have a point so let me show you why I'm right." Again that's just personal taste. Sicko is about how screwerd up the medical/insurance idustry is and you'd have to be a moron not to agree with it's points.

Moose

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 2:36 p.m.

I've watched literally hundreds of documentaries over the years. Homegrown and foreign, here and abroad. They are all over the board in their subjects, content and style. Unless the filmmaker just turns on the camera and lets it roll with no narrative (and I've seen a few of those too), every documentary filmmaker has a premise, a point of view and a story to tell. The only way that film could be unbiased would be to just let the camera roll and screen it unedited. It's the human element, the filmmaker who imparts their message. The filmmaker brings their own personal point of view to the work. It may be benign and vague or it may be pointed and purposeful, it doesn't have to be political or strident but it is there. Like a previous poster said do not confuse documentary filmmaking with unbiased straight news reporting... and in this day, so called factual news reporting, at least by the mainstream media (especially Fox News) is as biased, if not more, than most documentaries.

David Briegel

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 2:18 p.m.

I respect Michael Moore. He has the courage of his convictions and stands behind what he believes. I briefly met him and Jerry Brown found him to be genuine and self depracating. My country has been stolen by the corrupt influence of "free speech", MONEY and the hypocrisy on both sides is astounding as that corruption festers in plain sight. While so many are in denial of the obvious truth, it is appalling to see the fabric of our society crumble around us. Michael Moore continues to believe in truth and justice as the American way is further tarnished by our denial and inaction. He at least attempts to inspire us to action.

Lokalisierung

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.

I would say that SSM is a Doc following a person and what happens in their life. I would say Sicko is a film by somone who already has a point of view explaining their point of view and how right they are. To me one is a Doc and one is propaganda (which can be a doc true). Just my view, that may be the same to other people but it's very differnt to me.

Lokalisierung

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 2 p.m.

"And no, I am not his mother." wow could have fooled me :) Whether what he is creating is great or not I am not debating, whetaher they are true Docs is my only point. Whether he angers right wingers or conservitives (I am neither) doesn't really factor into anything I perosnally look for.

Moose

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1:56 p.m.

Hold it right there. "Supersize Me" was a pointed slam at fast food corporations and how they purposely promote poor eating habits to enrich their profits. It had a definite message and was most assuredly anti corporate propaganda in the mold of Mr Moore.

uawisok

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1:52 p.m.

I agree with Alan Goldsmith about this towns idea of a "real" Democrat is...driving a foreign car on your way to wal mart is not exactly what one would expect from a "real" Michigan Democrat...I'm guessing he is refering to the close door deal making at City Hall...organized labor is currently out of fashion but as the middle class continues to crumble my guess in the next 30-40 years you will see a re-surgance in organized labor hopefully with a political revolution to go along with it...hope I live long enough to see it!!

tdw

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1:51 p.m.

@Marvin He's a left wing Sicko

Moose

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1:49 p.m.

You might disagree but few objective film critics (I am not one) would agree with those sentiments. He's made several masterful documentaries, each one a creative improvement on the previous one. He generates discussion and debate whenever he speaks his mind. For all the ire he generates from conservatives and right wing Republicans you would think that Mr Moore had made more than six topical documentaries with basically the same premise, how the Rich get richer at the expense of average working people. He has mastered his craft in a way that few filmmakers, with far larger budgets, could ever hope to achieve. He is a great example of how hard work and persistence by anyone with average skills, education and background can rise to the top of their profession. A true American success story. And no, I am not his mother.

Lokalisierung

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1:39 p.m.

"the film *wouldn't* have been one-sided had Roger Smith or one of his publicists just gotten off their butts and done a 5-minute Q & A with Moore. Instead," You don't actually believe that do you? Becasue he had interviews with other people in the movie and one sided them pretty well. Plkus the whole ending is faked which is the whole "climax" of the Doc...if Docs can have climaxes.

Lokalisierung

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.

"(And since it seems you enjoyed Roger And Me, I just thought I'd add that his more recent movies really aren't much different in format)." Becasue Roger & Me is about our state so I have a soft spot for it. Did I agree with everything he was saying in it? Absoultly not. The Idea that a corperation owes somthing to the town of Flint, a central theme of the movie, I do not agree with. I don't completely hate the guys films, I just find it taxing to be billied with one perspective for that long. I didn't see Columbine becasue I didn't want to hear how guns kill people (I get that already, but I still want them), but I did watch Sicko and had a good time.

Marvin Face

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1:32 p.m.

Who is Michael Moore?

Lokalisierung

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1:29 p.m.

"Most documentaries are done with the intent of promoting a specific cause, idea or person, and not just making an 90-minute "equal time" interview." No I can't agree with that either; that's propaganda. Take Super Size Me versus Sicko. Super Size me sets out the idea 'what happens if I do this'...and documents it. Sicko sets out to prove a point that America should have universal health care. they're structured completely different and have different goals. "That's why people watch TV news or read newspapers, but feature-length documentaries deliver something different." Ha...I also don't know what News you watch/read if you think it isn't biased.

Jake C

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1:12 p.m.

(And since it seems you enjoyed Roger And Me, I just thought I'd add that his more recent movies really aren't much different in format).

Jake C

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1:09 p.m.

Lokalisierung: Since when has the concept of a Documentary been equated with impartial journalism? Most documentaries are done with the intent of promoting a specific cause, idea or person, and not just making an 90-minute "equal time" interview. That's why people watch TV news or read newspapers, but feature-length documentaries deliver something different. Hell, the whole of Roger And Me is that the film *wouldn't* have been one-sided had Roger Smith or one of his publicists just gotten off their butts and done a 5-minute Q & A with Moore. Instead, they ignored him, and this is the result.

Jake C

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 1 p.m.

Is the 300-seat Angell Hall Aud A really the largest venue that U of M could book for this type of event? And while I appreciate getting the word out to the general public, this is probably the sort of event that seems to be geared towards students, so if you've had the chance to see Michael Moore in the recent past, please sit on your hands and let someone else have a chance for a change.

Lokalisierung

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.

"But that doesn't make them any less effective in getting his point across." I would disagree with that.

Moose

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 12:42 p.m.

Everyone knows that his docs are made in his POV. But that doesn't make them any less effective in getting his point across. He's a master story teller.

Lokalisierung

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.

Ah those were the days when his horribly one sided "Documentaries" I could still get behind. Still a classic.

Moose

Wed, Mar 3, 2010 : 12:20 p.m.

Moore's Bowling For Columbine premiered at the Ann Arbor FIlm Festival several years ago. It was one of the few times that I've seen the Michigan theater standing room only for an AAFF screening. So, yeah Jenn is right about getting there early. BTW, The Ann Arbor Film Festival is coming to the Michigan theater in March, beginning with the opening gala on Tuesday 3/23 through Winners night Sunday 3/28. Don't miss it! http://www.aafilmfest.org/