Filmmakers' Theories: Michael Moore
Who is Micheal Moore?
Micheal Moore is an American film director, producer, screenwriter and an author whose work addresses major social, political and economic topics. Moore’s first big break was for his award-winning documentary Roger & Me (Micheal Moore, 1989), this is when he first became publicly known and it was his first documentary film.
Provided by the exam board:
“Moore, like Broomfield, is a very visible presence in his documentaries, which can thus be described as participatory and performative. His work is highly committed – overtly polemical in taking up a clear point of view, what might be called agit-prop documentary. He justifies his practice in terms of providing ‘balance’ for mainstream media that, in his view, provides false information. Part of Moore’s approach is to use humour, sometimes to lampoon the subject of his work and sometimes to recognise that documentaries need to entertain and hold an audience.”
My research:
Part of Micheal Moore’s approach is using humour, this is significant because it entertains the audience and ensure his political statements are received by the viewers. Ultimately, he remains committed and he does not shy away from making a clear point even if having to argue his point. Moore was highly committed to his work and he always took up a clear point of view which justified his practice as he did however provide a ‘balance’.
Micheal Moore follows numerous rules when making a documentary film, the first one is, don’t make a documentary, make a movie, Moore has announced openly online about the word ‘documentarian’ he sees negative connotations with this word, this is why he is making a movie, a film. Micheal Moore has been successful due to his unique style of filmmaking and the approach that he takes when filming - this approach was to present his opinions and messages which would most commonly resonate with large audiences however with this being said it would not resonate with everyone.
Moore is most famous for his documentaries: Fahrenheit 911 (2004) and Bowling for Columbine (2002). Micheal Moore is successful due to how he dedicates himself to his films, Moore himself is an onscreen presence throughout the film. Something also significant about his filmmaking is he uses archive footage to clarify his points, which is essential for the audiences visuals of the real events. Micheal Moore also intervenes with events which again is showing his presence on the screen, and even when he is not on the screen there is voice-over narration by himself so his input is still being made.