FILM MARKERS THEORIES: Michael Moore
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Moore
- Often controversial—that addressed major political and social issues in the United States.
- Mixing humor and poignancy with indignation
- Established Dog Eat Dog Films
- He also created an organization to finance social-action groups and other filmmakers.
- Very visible presence in his documentaries- participatory and performative role
- Highly committed- overly polemical in taking up a clear point of view- agit-prop documentary (political propaganda)
- Justifies his practice in terms of providing ‘balance’ for mainstream, media that in his view provides false information
- Uses humor sometimes to lampoon the subject of his work and sometimes recognize that documentaries need to entrain and hold an audience
Moore’s Style:
- Driven by his own anger about how and why this was done (Roger and Me (1989))
- Use of comedy and dark satire- uses to attack institutions that he has targeted
- Central to the films seeing him interviewing people and his everyman persona disarms and encourages a range of interesting responses
- Underscored by his physical appearance – wears casual clothes, a baseball cap and is overweight – Seemingly laid back persona hides a sharp and incisive line of questioning which he uses to good effect
- Comedy is employed- using clever expositional devices and interviews
- Focuses on a particular agenda- expand on arguments around his perspective on these issues
- Considered a voice for American left wing
- Some of his films were successes at the global box office and won major awards
Interview with Michael Moore:
- Refers to himself as the balance
- Criticizes mainstream media for criticizing him
- ‘Anti- propaganda’
- Popular as many people are like minded like him and have the same beliefs
Bowling for Columbine- Film Form:
- Use of archive footage and found footage
- Close-ups and mid-shots for conversations
- Action reaction shots for conversations
- Editing to orchestrate a certain message and response from the audiences- intention to make fun of gun supporters
- Questions uses to orchestrate a certain message and responses from and to the audience
- Director is on screen- in terms of performance he handles guns which are the topic
Michael Moore and ‘Amy’:
Filmmakers use film form to ‘manipulate’ how the spectator feels and thinks – e.g. V/O, lens flare, archive footage specifically chosen. Also known as ‘guided viewing experience’ Example: A long shot of Amy Winehouse in a provocative outfit, along with voiceover discussing her provocative behaviour. This is inviting a certain viewpoint of Winehouse – links to Moore’s style
Emma Coe Film Studies 