"SiCKO" a hit at Cannes.....

[marmar]

from AP, via Yahoo:


Cannes warmly welcomes Moore's 'Sicko' By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Writer
Sat May 19, 6:22 PM ET


CANNES, France - "Sicko," Michael Moore's attack on the U.S. health care system, got a warm welcome at Cannes Saturday that marked the director's triumphant return to the film festival and a respite from the controversy his work has started at home.

More than 2,000 people applauded loudly after the film's first Cannes screening at the packed Grand Theatre Lumiere, the main festival auditorium.

"I know the storm awaits me back in the United States," said Moore as he absorbed the enthusiastic response of critics and journalists.

The movie doesn't open until late June, but it has already been criticized by conservative politicians in the United States over scenes in which the filmmaker takes ailing 9/11 rescuers to Cuba for treatment.

"It's very much in the Michael Moore vein — hilarious, but I was crying through about a third of it," said Peter Brunette of the Boston Globe.

The trip to Cuba led the Treasury Department to investigate Moore for possibly breaking the U.S. trade and travel embargo on the communist country. He could face a fine or jail time.

Some have said the investigation is giving the film free publicity. Not Moore.

"I'm the one who's personally being investigated, and I'm the one who's personally liable for potential fines or jail, so I don't take it as lightly," he said.

On the advice of lawyers, the filmmakers spirited a master copy of "Sicko" outside the United States in case the government tries to seize it. Asked whether the inquiry could prevent the film opening in the U.S. as planned on June 29, Moore said: "We haven't even discussed that possibility."

Moore is a Cannes favorite. His last film, the war-on-terror documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" won the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, in 2004. "Sicko" is screening out of competition — Moore joked that he didn't want to appear like a "typical American" by greedily seeking another trophy.

Stephen Schaefer of the Boston Herald thought the film might do even better at the box office than the President Bush-bashing "Fahrenheit 9/11," which took $122 million in the United States.

"This could do even more," he said. "This is an issue that impacts more people. It's a huge issue." ....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070519/ap_on_re_eu/film_ca...

[Erika]

1. The U.S. is 37th in health care for its citizens in industrialized nations

Surprise. Surprise. Highest in cost with only the rich getting superior and adaquate treatment.

They like it that way. Duh!

[aquart]

2. If Cuba has better healthcare all we should be is ashamed.

[Erika]

3. Our healthcare for the common worker is shameful

and even worse for the jobless and homeless. Bush has turned this country into one who has no interest for any others than the rich. None at all.

[aquart]

35. "Common worker"?

If someone ever had the brass flaming balls to call me that to my face, I might become violent. So healthcare is great for "uncommon workers"? What, pray, do they do all day?"

[ProudDad]

8. They do

we should be ashamed.

We should ALL call our congresscritters and DEMAND that they co-sponsor HR676 -- Single-payer health care for all!

[KansDem]

29. According to WHO, Cuba is 39th to the USA's 37th...

The World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems.

How about this statistic?
The U. S. health system spends a higher portion of its gross domestic product than any other country but ranks 37 out of 191 countries according to its performance, the report finds. The United Kingdom, which spends just six percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on health services, ranks 18th . Several small countries – San Marino, Andorra, Malta and Singapore are rated close behind second- placed Italy.

WHO

[melody]

4. This is my only problem with Michael

>"typical American"

He speaks out for us and then bashes us at the same time. If he has that much bias against the
"typical American", I wonder why he bothers doing what he does. It just doesn't measure up. It's
there in nearly all of his recent films (all of which I own on DVD and love, I might point out). I
have the same issues he does with our government, but I don't write off my people because of the elitists
who've taken it over.

[mzmolly]

5. An excellent point.

[Gabi Hayes]

7. except that my read on it concerned Ameican FILMMAKERS. how

many "typical Americans" have films to present at Cannes


give the man a break

sounds to me like it's giving ammo to the inevitable frenzy of Moore bashers

why not send such wisdom to Fred Thompson?

[melody]

24. He has said this before ... he's just reiterating an earlier stance

He's saying "typical American", as he has before, without referring to filmmakers.

What makes bigotry wrong in one instance, makes it wrong in all instances. I admire
Michael ... I've already said that ... but I'm not going to ignore an aspect I find
offensive. The Moore bashers are merely repeating an emotion-based rhetoric they've
been taught. I'm saying I like Michael (in fact, I paid big bucks for an early copy
of Roger and Me ... before VHS tapes were available cheaply, I bought it at renter
store prices), I just disagree deeply with this perspective of his.

[ProudDad]

9. You have a bizarre take on what Moore said...

I heard what Mr. Moore said as being a dig against those Europeans who think "typical americans" are greedy for prizes.

It's true for the upper classes of "typical americans"...They're just flat out greedy for everything...

I don't think Michael Moore was aiming a dig at "typical americans". He has great love and respect for typical americans, a hell of a lot more than nearly everyone in "power" in this country.

[melody]

13. This has been a consistent theme in Michael's work that disturbs me

It's a theme that bothers me in the attitudes of many of my fellow liberal folk -- this idea that
a "typical American" is "bad". There's no such thing as a typical anything with any defined quality.
The very same ethical/intellectual argument that makes it wrong to discriminate against any group of
people, also protects all others from the same prejudgments.

I do read Michael's remarks as being very much in keeping with other things he has said. Michael has
quite often in his work taken the stance that the US is "a great country", but he frequently
promotes very biased views against our people. His little epistle to the Canadians is a perfect example ...
"They're like us only better!"

Sorry, but my UK ancestors came here three hundred fifty years ago and my Cherokee ancestors came here a long,
long time before that. I don't accept that any group of people is any "better" than ours. To suggest otherwise
is simple bigotry, nothing else.

[EFerrari]

10. It's a family fight. You don't fight with people you don't care about

in some way.

[melody]

14. It may be unconscious, but I do think he has a bias against us

It's not his arguing with social or political institutions, it's his negative tone about our people that bothers me.
Still and all, I like 75% of his work ... but I must be honest that this attitude of his annoys and disturbs me.

[Lost4words]

18. On 12/12/2000 I could find No One that was as outraged as I re

the gift of the WH to sissy-idiot. There was no outcry for the inevitable that was to come.

Where were most of you? Honestly I felt the same way MM must feel.

If not for Senator Byrd I would have gone crazy!!

And there is no shortage of US dimbulb citizens who have no idea the peril out system is in today.

I felt you folks let the country down, where the heck were you all then?????

( I know some felt as I did, but it sure wasnt a ground swell.)

8643

[melody]

20. So you honestly think you are the only "good" American?

That's an astounding statement. You looked at the screaming on message boards ... the expression of
outrage in the way our culture expresses it ... and thought you were the only one?

"Most of us" were obviously doing something you weren't seeing. I don't know a single person who wasn't
repulsed. I don't know anyone whose spirit wasn't broken. If you're seeing only bad people, then you
need to find some new friends.

[Lost4words]

46. Of course not, dont be silly, What message boards!

If you were as outraged as I was then, then I am not addressing my statement to you or any others that felt as we do/did.

Tell me honestly that you didnt or dont know of the types I am talking about.
Some of us didnt spend time online prior until it was obvious that the MSM was duplicitous.

We were not in the streets, you were not on the airwaves.

I didnt find DU until 2002 and living in Wash DC at the time I saw no outrage. Business as usual. One person thru an egg at little sissys motorcade and that was the only thing I had to hold on to.

I was not working at the time and most of my Business acquaintances were repukes that thought it was a good thing. So no I didnt have a group of solid blue types around me.

I am sorry you felt insulted enough to attack me. And Sorry, I didnt see or hear of you and your (Most of us) doing anything.

I dont think I am a good citizen of the US, a true patriot wouldnt have let this happen.

[melody]

51. Who is attacking you? And of course I know some people like that

I'm merely responding to your challenges to my argument. This is a public forum. It's called "discussion".

Of COURSE I know some American people like that -- I also know some Canadians who blindly think they live in an innocent,
gentle, perfect country and that all the bad people are Americans. I've encountered a lot of people who are
ignorant about many things (just as I'm ignorant about other things). It's your supposition that no one cared that I
disagree with.

>We were not in the streets, you were not on the airwaves.

We're a distinct and very different culture. We've been hounded and terrorized, in one way or another, all our lives. We've
been taught from birth that we deserve nothing and will be given that. We're not Colombians, we're not Canadians, we're
not French, we're Americans. We're going to respond in American ways -- most people are too busy working, trying to keep
their lives together, or dealing with despair (look at the mental health numbers in the US) or plain afraid to protest.
Others keep their heads low and their powder dry.

That doesn't mean no one cares ... in fact, I'd say it's very much the reverse. To borrow a Native American saying, you
worry when the village is quiet. That's what our own government should be concerned with.

[Lost4words]

53. You make your point. I should have stated that "my perception"

[localroger]

16. Well, Mike has spent his career documenting...

...what seems to be wrong with Americans. While it stings to be caught under the same brush I have to say that MM's assessment of a "typical American" isn't far off the mark. What have MM's films taught us? Typical Americans sit by and watch while craven sociopathic CEO's eviscerate our cities. Typical Americans gun each other down in such numbers and for such meager reasons as to defy explanation. Typical Americans vote for clowns and liars in sufficient numbers that, even if we do not agree that they fairly won their elections, that they can get within striking range to steal them. Typical Americans are bullish on bombing other peoples' countries and don't care much when their countrymen are dropping dead around them as long as our government isn't committing the horrible crime of picking our typical American pockets to help them.

While it's true that a large (and hopefully growing) number of Americans are not like this, I think it is a little myopic to complain that to someone with anything resembling an international perspective the typical American comes across as something of a selfish jerk.

[melody]

19. When you want to determine if an attitude is prejudiced ...

You need merely take your comments and replace "Americans" with Jews" or "blacks". If you sound like a bigot,
then you're thinking in a similar way. Bigotry isn't merely morally wrong, it's intellectually irrational.
What makes bigotry wrong and dangerous in one case, makes it wrong and dangerous in all cases.

All prejudiced people think they have rational reasons for their bigotry. They see the object of their prejudice
through jaundiced eyes. And it doesn't matter if you are American, it's the same prejudicial perspective.

[localroger]

22. That is not so

The critical difference is that a bigot criticizes the Jew, black person, or whomever because of their Jewishness, their blackness, or some other trait that is beyond the person's control. It is not by contrast bigotry to criticize someone for how they are acting when it is within their power to act differently.

Also, it would be pretty weird (though I suppose it has happened) for an Jewish person to be anti-semitic, or a Black to have a racist dislike of black people. Both Michael Moore and I are Americans, and while I can't speak for him I can say that I try to point out these deficiencies in our national character in the hope that one day we will correct them.

[melody]

23. The only aspect you're critiquing in the "typical American" is being American

"Typical" is merely evidence of prejudiced thinking. You're defining most Americans by the properties
you perceive in those ones you consider typical. It's exactly what you're talking about -- their being
American. It's the qualities you ascribe to them that is prejudicial thinking.

Black people don't have personal dignity and a right to humanity because they can't be white. They have their
own dignity as people -- it doesn't matter that they "can't be like you" so you'll give them a pass.
Gay people need only stop sleeping with people of their own gender for most homophobes to like them ... does
that make them "okay" when before they weren't? Of course not.

There are many Jewish and black people who hate their own people. I see it every day. I deal locally
with an African American pastor who stands in front of his primarily black church and informs all these
people (most of them young and impressionable) that "black Christians are good people but most black people
are bad".

You're saying the same thing to your own "church" -- that the Americans you like are "good" but all the other
ones are "bad".

[Lost4words]

47. Well Stated! Welconme to DU localroger!

8643

[Quantess]

42. Hi localroger. Great post!

Welcome to DU!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

21. Michael Moore bashes Americans?

Why does Michael Moore hate America?

[depakid]

28. The reality is that the "typical American"

not only puts up with all of this- but enables it through willful ignorance, arrogance and uncritical thinking.

If I had a dime for how many times I heard someone say "greatest country in the world," without even a thought as to how people in other countries live, or fail to appreciate what services governments provide (until they need them personally) I'd be a very wealthy fellow.

[melody]

30. The reality is that's only "typical" to people with a bias against Americans

There is no typical American. I'm 47 years old and I think I've heard a handful of people (who weren't politicians) do the old
"greatest country in the world". I have friends from Australia and Canada say the same thing about their own countries.
We have a DU'er here called "Thankfully in Britain" -- how is that not the same thing? Most of my friends struggle valiantly
for what they have, use weekends and odd hours to go out and protest/write letters/make phone calls or spend the little time
they have with their kids. Where are these typical Americans with willful ignorance or arrogance? I don't know them. The
ones I know are hurting. And the neocons have skillfully made most people blame the very people who are their primary victims
... the typical American.

One of the reasons this country is as terrified as it is, is we don't stand up for our own people. The morons on the far
right think cold-heartedness is some kind of call to patriotism. The people on the far-left seem to have no regard for the
very people who are suffering worst.

I have friends who should be getting chemo potentially living without it, I have family members struggling with mental health issues,
I have gay family and friends who must deal with institutionalized bias, and I could give you one example after another of the
"typical American" who is suffering.

I don't know how many people in other countries (and this one) who would normally have giving hearts to the poor...
after hearing about an Appalachian poverty outreach program (parts of my family came from the Appalachians) say,
"There aren't any really poor people in the US."

I guess they think they're just "typical Americans" complaining too much.

[depakid]

31. You must live in a different world than I do

because even among graduate students, I see an amazing amount of willful ignorance about public affairs.

I agree, the vast majority DON'T stand up for their own people- and could care less about people suffering (or even what happens to their own children and grandchildren down the line). However, they do whine loudly when something happens to them, personally.

It's pathetic.

While there may not be a "typical American" per se- there are some very typical American attitudes- many of which are dysfunctional (and/or non-negotiable). We see that in health care- just as we do with choices as to energy use and consumption patterns.

[melody]

32. There can be no "typical American attitudes" unless you believe in "typical Americans"

It just doesn't work that way.

I suggest you get some new friends. I was a grad student a long time ago, but I know a lot of them now.
Some of this may be location based -- if you're in some deeply red Utah region or something, perhaps that
would explain things. I'm in California.

[depakid]

33. Nope. Oregon.

And I've lived several stretches in California, where I've seen some of the most uninformed (or misinformed) voters anywhere.

I'm talking lack of knowledge of basic civics and public policy. What it is, how it's made, how it affects their lives and what's happening that can change it. Witness the energy "deregulation" plan that so many people bought into. Or the prevalence of SUV's among city drivers in LA (fortunately, the Bay Area seems to be a bit wiser on this point- at least, that's what I observed a couple of weeks ago. Lots more smaller, fuel efficient cars).

Contrast that with Australia or Britain, where I've also spent a considerable amount of time. People there pay more attention and, even under Howard, aren't nearly so susceptible to propaganda and do actually care about what happens to their people.

Things I hear on a regular basis would make peoples' jaws drop abroad.

Sort of like mine does every time I visit my family in North Carolina...

[melody]

34. We do live in a weirdly split universe

I spend lots of time in Oregon ... Portland is one of my favorite cities. Ignorance of issues is one thing -- there
has been a concentrated effort to de-educate the US population since Reagan took over -- but you cannot
blame people for ignorance when they aren't exposed to information. It's nothing inherent in the people.
It's a situational/social problem. Very few people do as we do and seek out the information.

But concern and awareness of a problem? It's all there.

I've also heard just amazingly stupid remarks from UK and Aussie friends of mine regards life in North America. Not
everyone is equal in all areas of information.

I could write a many-volumed book on things I don't know that others do know. It's all relative.

[localroger]

36. Unfortunately, you are wrong.

I work in industrial controls. I work with people all across the socioeconomic spectrum, from company CEO's to the guys who drive the forklifts over the machines I service. To say that there is no "American character" is simply myopic. There certainly is, and residents of more enlightened nations are right to call us out on it. I don't consider myself part of that character, but I recognize that outsiders will suspect my intelligence and motives because it is the general case. Not to do so would be both stupid and counterproductive.

Look, we in the US have a problem. The first step toward fixing that problem is to recognize that it exists. Putting hands over ears and shouting "LA LA LA" when someone tries to tell you your country is infested with crazy dangerous people is not productive.

[melody]

37. The whole concept of "wrong" in this instance is irrational

>enlightened nations

Enlightened HOW? Surely you know that all countries are equally flawed. A thorough reading in the social sciences will indicate that.

As for "no American character" -- I never said that. I said you cannot say that all people possess the negative character you perceive. The people you're seeing are inside your head.

[localroger]

41. I really cannot believe anyone here does not get this

"Enlightened nations." A meaningless phrase? How about nations that have single-payer health care. How about nations that don't start unprovoked wars. How about nations that actually admit torturing people is wrong. How about nations that insist on livable wages for all their citizens. How about nations that allow gay people to marry. How about nations that admit the sex trade will exist no matter what and regulate it instead of driving it underground. I could go on all day. WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE. IT WILL NEVER BE FIXED UNTIL THOSE OF US WHO ARE NOT AFFECTED BY IT AT LEAST ADMIT THAT IT EXISTS.

[melody]

44. I didn't say it was a meaningless phrase

I said it was relative. There are good and bad things about all cultures. What works here, doesn't work
there. This is a very large nation with many different cultures. Trying to force one solution on everyone
is ... well, as hard as Europe is finding it to be. I'm neither a socialist or a capitalist. I think we have
to find solutions beyond those.

Any nation ... and I do mean any ... in our place would have done the things you've described. We're Alpha
primates with a terrifyingly reliable pattern of behavior. Most of our "worst" actions have come about in the
wake of the "new" GOP helmed by the Bush family. I personally consider the Bushes to my enemy agents working
within our own government, but that's a long, long branch of research I won't go into.

There is much to praise in the country my ancestors built. I love it and my people, which is one of the reasons
I work as hard as I do to return it to sane hands.

[Lost4words]

49. Are your ancestors American Indians?

Or were they white western europeans?

[melody]

50. Both

I'm Cherokee, English, Irish and Scots.

I'm also right-handed and left-brained, for those playing the home game.

[Lost4words]

52. That Works!

I am ambidextrous, and right eye dominant! But who's counting.

BTW melody too! I could have used a friend like you back in 2000, I wouldnt have gone so nutty.

Have a good rest of the day! 8643

[Lost4words]

48. localroger you rock!

8643

[Tara_NM]

6. Moore also on next "Real Time"

I am so pleased that Moore's new film was a hit at the festival and I am looking forward to seeing it as well.

Moore is also supposed to be a guest on the next "real Time w/ Bill Maher" and it should be quite interesting to see what he has to say about current events as well as his new film.

[ProudDad]

11. More on Moore

http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2007/05/20/canne... /

Press conference at Cannes...

[Blue_Tires]

38. thanks for the link n/t

[Lord Helmet]

12. I hope Moore has body guards.

He's going to piss a lot of crazy people off again.

[marmar]

15. I think he got a couple after the incredible amount of threats he received after....

his post-Oscars tirade against Bush just after the war started.

[zippy890]

17. "Where is our soul?" Moore asks

"I hope this film engenders discussion, not just about healthcare, but about why we are the way we are these days," Moore told us. "Where is our soul? Why would we allow 50 million Americans, 9 million of them children, not to have health insurance? Maybe my role as a filmmaker is to go down a road we might be afraid to go down, because it might lead to a dark place."

http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2007/05/20/canne...

Where is our soul indeed, Michael. Thats a good question

[tinfoilinfor2005]

26. Yes. Much like the homeless woman on 60 minutes last night

who, sick and disoriented, was literally dropped into the street by a major NY hospital transport van after receiving care at the hospital. Truly makes you wonder what has happened to the "Heart" of America.

[melody]

27. That was LA's Skid Row

Beyond which fact, that was the "heart of America" that went out and guided her in
off the street and worked hard to find an advocate for her. Why do you see one as
American and the other as not?

[tinfoilinfor2005]

39. I'm sorry if I was mistaken. 60 minutes pointed out that the woman

was elderly, sick and disoriented and was dropped off on the curb off the street next to Skid Row. The official at the hospital apologized and said that this shouldn't have happened. What "other" are you referring to? There was only one woman in the piece.

[melody]

45. There are two women -- watch it again -- and the shelter manager

The shelter manager, a man, is the person who saw her on the street and asked one of the counselors there to go out
and bring her in where it was safe. The second woman is clearly seen in the video going out to guide her inside.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

25. Just a note about Cannes and 'SiCKO'

It is not up for any awards as it is entered "Out of Competition" or Hors Compêtition.
So it cannot win anything as F/911 did.

[Cha]

40. Michael Moore is so brave and a

bona fide hero! I don't care what mr kenefick says..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[unkachuck]

43. love it, love it, love it....

....but be afraid, be very afraid; there will be a nationwide attempt to make our beloved Mike the issue not our horseshit government and healthcare establishment....sad, very sad....