Manufacturing Dissent - Uncovering Michael Moore details
| Format: | 15 DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Michael Moore |
| Directors: | Rick Caine, Debbie Melnyk |
| Genre: | Documentary - General |
| Studio: | LIBERATION ENTERTAINMENT |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
Manufacturing Dissent - Uncovering Michael Moore |
15 Feature |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 1 hour 36 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 22 Oct 2007 |
| Main languages: | English |
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Most helpful review
an interesting counterpoint to the image Moore likes to portray
By squirrelgirl (24 reviews) from Brighton , 21 Oct 2007[Highly rated reviewer]
The main point of this movie is that it is not quality documentary filmmaking if the documentarist misrepresents the facts to show the 'truth' as they see it and not as the sources being used give it, and by sticking to this principle (of focusing on how in previous works Moore has documented one thing and often chosen either not to show that footage or has skewed the facts as documented for his own message) they have made a compelling documentary.
I was lucky enough to see this film at the Edinburgh FIlm Festival when the filmmakers were doing a Q&A. During the discussion two interesting details arose: firstly the filmmakers actually started out admiring Moore and wanted to make a straighforward documentary about him but discovered along the way that some of his facts may have been misrepresented and so followed the facts as they were taking them (which is naturally what you are supposed to do in a documentary), continuing to interview people who had previously appeared as interviewees in Moore's movies. Secondly in one particular case they were reviled by an audience member for not understanding that Moore is a satirist who openly uses certain facts satirically. However Moore is not a satirist and the fact that some people will use that as a defense for Moore to blindly ignore the lack of documentary principles illustrates why a film like Manufacturing Dissent is necessary. For instance it is not satire to shoot footage that reveals truth of a situation and then choose to not put it in the corresponding movie at all, that is focusing the truth where you want it to be.
This film will be interesting to anyone who thinks the question of how truthful the truth has to be in the media for it to be valid evidence of a political position is still important (or more important than ever before) and to those who question the usefulness of celebrity self proclaimed spokespeople. It is a flawed piece of work but its dedication to show the rebuttal of actual people about their actual experiences is refreshing.- Was this review helpful to you?
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(27)Feet of clay.
By MelSharpe (39 reviews) from West Midlands , 20 Jun 2010Watching this film is a good example of how finding out more about a person (in this case Michael Moore) can have serious consequences for your respect for that person.
Like most people I watched several of his 'Documentaries' and took them for what they were; Documentaries. Being from England we have had a very strong tradition of filming and presenting documentaries as fact, and the research behind them shows through in great detail. They're something to trust. To believe, because you know they've been thoroughly researched before being presented. They may be one-sided, and obviously trying to present a particular point, but you know at the very least they're journalistic-ally accurate,
Like the film maker I decided to look into Moore after enjoying Bowling for Columbine. What I read and saw painted a very different picture from the one he presents.
Moore's misrepresentation and use of his self-confessed'Movie-making' skills (ie twisting and mis-reporting facts to make them suit your purpose) isn't a documentary at all, it's making a movie. It's entertainment value.
Just like the Michael Bay version of Pearl Harbour basically takes the History book and not only throws it away, but also defecates on it in the process, Moore does the same with his own facts. In Pearl Harbour's case it's forgiveable (though not acceptable) because it's nothing more than a movie. It's not trying to state facts in the way a documentary does. It's entertainment pure and simple.
It's hard to have your illusions shattered by a person with whom you have had an enormous amount of respect for, but - like the film maker of Manufacturing Dissent - we quite quickly realise when we're intentionally being manipulated under the guise of documentary proof.
The funny thing is Moore himself could have stopped this documentary in its tracks simply by granting the same consideration to the film-maker that he himself has based his career on: granting that interview.
Had he done that at the start the film-maker (possibly) wouldn't have wanted to dig a little deeper, and may not have found all that she did about him.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Necessary.
By TheJim (21 reviews) from Paisley , 20 Mar 2009This is a deserving and necessary documentary demonstrating Moores flirtations with the truth.Moore has gone beyond being the messenger and while he may have popularised issues with a demographic previously steadfastly ignorant of them this does not make him deserving of a position beyond reproach.By all means disagree with this film but please watch it and realise that all White Knights ultimately fade to gray. Its just that in my opinion he didnt start out that white and thankfully this film demonstrates that I was not alone in this opinion.I will still eagerly await any film that Moore makes!- Was this review helpful to you?
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Tiresome
By Elephantman (1 review) from London , 08 Mar 2009Lets just say that i rented this dvd in good faith having seen some positive well structured reviews! especially the last persone who saw this a the Edinburgh film festival. I did not manage the get past 20 minutes of the documentary before being bored to tears. I feel cheated by the such strong and well written reviews here.
A very poor documentary about a very annoying person he seems to have become 'Michael Moore' and thats from someone who started out Extremely enthusiastic about Bowling for columbine and Roger & Me.
Heres my message: Dont be surprised if you send the film back the same day waiting for your next delivery!- Was this review helpful to you?
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Moore is the Man
By a customer from London , 03 Feb 2009This film was boring as hell. Thats why Micheal moore's films are enjoyable and interesting to wacth as he knows how to tell the truth and keep it enjoyable and funny. This film proves that as it was so boring and nit picking on moore.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Michael Moores DVDs are NEVER subtitled
By Surdophobia (2 reviews) from Sheffield , 06 Oct 2008For someone who claims to be POPULIST his DVDs are never subtitled / captioned for the hard of hearing. How is he able to spread his message to the population at large!? As usual his claims are superficial at best !- Was this review helpful to you?
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