Michael Moore's Sicko
New Documentary Film On Health Care and Pharma Opens at Cannes
Moore takes on the U.S. health care system with a film that promises to be as controversial as "Farenheit 9/11" and "Bowling for Columbine." Can it alter views on health?
Michael Moore, the filmmaker who brought Bowling for Columbine and Farenheit 9/11 and their respective controversies into the popular lexicon, takes the spotlight with his newest film, Sicko, intent on transforming American health care and the pharmaceutical industry.
Sicko
Sicko was released at Cannes on May 19, 2007 to an enthusiastic audience that included victims of the U.S. health care system who were interviewed in the film.
Originally intended as a critical analysis of the American health care system and pharmaceutical industry, Sicko took on new dimensions when Michael Moore discovered a group of 9/11 rescue workers who had become sick due to their work at ground zero and had not received needed medical treatment.
In addition to interviews with people denied help from health insurance, those ignored by the medical system, or harmed by drugs from big pharma, Sicko chronicles Moore’s efforts to help these 9/11 workers get the treatment they needed... by flying them to hospitals in Cuba, a trip which has Moore currently fending off legal action initiated on May 2 by the U.S. government.
“My stated desire,” the filmmaker says, “[was] that ‘Sicko’ ignite a fire for free, universal health care (and a larger wish that we, as Americans, do a better job of treating each other with a true sense of solidarity and respect)”(1)
He continues, “At my festival press conference, the only negative word came from the Canadians. Two critics didn't like all the nice things I said about their health care system.”(2)
Moore's goal with this film is, ultimately, to inspire change. "One way to fight the system," he adds, "is to take better care of yourself."(3)
Moore: Much-Loved, Well-Hated
Michael Moore has come under fire in the past for what many people have called misinformation and skewed reporting. Some critics have gone as far as refusing to acknowledge Moore’s previous films as documentaries because of his biased portrayal of events.
There is undoubtedly a strong message and bias in each of his films, but no more so than many other documentaries, whose makers may present a more balanced portrayal of events in pursuit of their point - or may simply not be as honest as Moore.
In his defense, Moore has never pretended to be impartial. He has reputedly offered $10,000 U.S. to anyone who can show him that one fact in Farenheit 9/11 is wrong. No one has come to him with specific criticism.
Sicko is scheduled to open in theatres in the summer of 2007.
See also: The Facts on Antidepressant Drugs and their purported link to the Columbine killings
(1) Michael Moore, May 23, 2007, http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?messageDate=2007-05-23, as accessed on May 25, 2007
(2) ibid
(3) John Horn, Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-moore21may21,1,2729792.story?track=crosspromo&coll=la-headlines-entnews&ctrack=1&cset=true, accessed May 25, 2007
