Bowling For Columbine (Micheal Moore, 2002)
What is the film about?
Bowling For Columbine (Micheal Moore, 2002) is a political documentary that explores he circumstances that lead to the school shooting of Columbine High School in 1999 in which two boys killed thirteen people with guns and wounded more than twenty people. This documentary focus of the gun culture within America.
The documentary explores the gun rates in America compared to other countries and why that may be. Also, the homicide rate is explored. More specifically Micheal more focus on the environment of the shooting and gathers some public opinions and assumptions that were related to these issues.
Who are the main participants and what happen to them?
The main participants of this film are, Micheal Moore himself. Micheal Moore is the main focus of this film however there are other participants as we see when he is interviewing various other people. Also, the documentary shows two boys who were victims of the Columbine shooting, and they are there to say their opinions and say how they have felt since the shooting. This is significant because it shows people who were actually there and involved its a view from a person who actually lived the events and they have been impacted for life due to this.
Who made the film?
This documentary film was made by Micheal Moore, who is an American film director, producer, screenwriter and author. He is most widely known for his work which addresses various social, political and economic topics, which is evident in this film, Bowling for Columbine. Micheal Moore is best known for his series of documentaries which are often controversial and like previosuly said address these major political etc issues.
Does the film hold a significant place in film history?
Bowling For Columbine does hold a significant place in history as it raises awareness of the impacts gun violence can leave people with, the film consists of a documentary about the massacre at Columbine High School however, it also establishes how easy it is in America for people to acquire firearms.
How is the subject framed?
Micheal Moore frames the subject from a very personated view, as it is evident how he feels about this topic and in broad terms as a viewer living in England, the argument that is is making is very relatable to my opinion. The subject he is arguing is about the Columbine High School shooting but not only this but the gun nature in America.
Do the filmmakers use any interesting techniques to convey information to the audience?
Micheal Moore uses pathos, logos and ethos which enable him to further his argument and firmly get across his message to the audience, this being that capitalism is the root of the problem that are current in American society, the example used in Moores documentary i fun violence and gun culture within America. He used persuasive techniques with those he is interviewing so he can get out of them there honest opinions, each of the rhetoric devices he used helps to build up on his argument more and more and establish the growing problem to the audience, to make a change especially American viewers.
How is the film structured?
Bowling For Columbine is a documentary film that is structured like any other regular documentary film, Micheal Moore creates this comedic aspect to the film through what he says, but throughout there are also various interviews with different members of Americas community which provide a point to lead the next point, but everything links back to the focus of the film, this being the Columbine High School shooting.
To what extent is the film a notable example of the “mode” you have identified above?
This documentary film is an example of a performative documentary as the filmmaker, Micheal Moore is an anticipated within the film, but it is not participatory because throughout the film he appears on-screen. As well as this Micheal Moore repeatedly intervenes directly in events panning out on screen.
What was your personal reaction to the film?
Personally, I really enjoyed this film and found it very informative and interesting. I had never watched a Micheal Moore documentary film before but this film has inspired me to watch another one of his films because I liked how he delivered the information and it meets its point of a documentary to it being informative.
Which sequences were particularly effective or enjoyable?
I particularly enjoyed the sequence where the boys involved in the Columbine High School shooting and Micheal Moore got what they wanted from the KMart debate, it emphasised how they were making a change which could slowly me a change throughput America even if it is little by little. I found this sequence the most enjoyed and effective because it showed there true reactions.
What do you think the filmmakers wanted to say?
I think that Micheal Moore wanted to show the effects of gun violence and how it not only affects those who have been a victim of it but those who are surrounded by it. Moore did an impression job of expressing these points to the audience and this film is one that makes the audience sympathise with those put in the terrifying situation. From the Orthodox Marxist line that Moore has taken to this is how he expresses his opinions and how this message of capitalism is the root of the problem within American society is expressed.