Michael Moore is back and is declaring war on Capitalism. Last night I had the good fortune of attending one of the first screenings of his new film Capitalism: A Love Story.
Over the last twelve months countless articles and news stories have been devoted to the economic crisis which has affected everyone, well almost everyone. Some have been spot on in their portrayal of the complex events that unfolded. However there is nothing quite like film and Moore in particular to ram home a painful realization that things have to drastically change.
Moving images are truly moving.
We know the story but it is brought into focus by a potent lens.
Moore still relies on his hokey demeanor to drive the story of outrage and despair to maximum effect.
To see footage of people being evicted from their homes and work place as a result of corporate greed is distressing, a sobering reminder of the 1% taking control.
To see senior Politian’s on all sides of the aisle being bought off by corporate executives while pontificating in Congress that we must clean up Wall Street is particularly galling.
This film makes the case that there is plenty of blame on both sides of the political spectrum. But premise of the film vehemently states that capitalism is evil and does its best to illustrate this claim. While there is much wrong with capitalism and this film demonstrates forcefully the pitfalls, it doesn’t offer a suitable alternative. Would socialism would be the better option? Mr. Moore steadfastly avoids that notion.
In the Q & A afterwards he got testy with a questioner who asked, which was better Capitalism or Socialism? His reply was that democracy was in peril.
Interestingly Mr. Moore introduces religion into the conversation, something he has rarely done in previous films. Asking a priest and a Bishop the same question, Is Capitalism evil? He was met with a resounding yes.
Well that’s it then, all settled. God knows all.
Over the last twelve months countless articles and news stories have been devoted to the economic crisis which has affected everyone, well almost everyone. Some have been spot on in their portrayal of the complex events that unfolded. However there is nothing quite like film and Moore in particular to ram home a painful realization that things have to drastically change.
Moving images are truly moving.
We know the story but it is brought into focus by a potent lens.
Moore still relies on his hokey demeanor to drive the story of outrage and despair to maximum effect.
To see footage of people being evicted from their homes and work place as a result of corporate greed is distressing, a sobering reminder of the 1% taking control.
To see senior Politian’s on all sides of the aisle being bought off by corporate executives while pontificating in Congress that we must clean up Wall Street is particularly galling.
This film makes the case that there is plenty of blame on both sides of the political spectrum. But premise of the film vehemently states that capitalism is evil and does its best to illustrate this claim. While there is much wrong with capitalism and this film demonstrates forcefully the pitfalls, it doesn’t offer a suitable alternative. Would socialism would be the better option? Mr. Moore steadfastly avoids that notion.
In the Q & A afterwards he got testy with a questioner who asked, which was better Capitalism or Socialism? His reply was that democracy was in peril.
Interestingly Mr. Moore introduces religion into the conversation, something he has rarely done in previous films. Asking a priest and a Bishop the same question, Is Capitalism evil? He was met with a resounding yes.
Well that’s it then, all settled. God knows all.
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