Posted on 05/22/2004 11:02:05 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
CANNES, France - American filmmaker Michael Moore (news)'s "Fahrenheit 9/11," a scathing indictment of White House actions after the Sept. 11 attacks, won the top prize Saturday at the Cannes Film Festival (news - web sites).
AP Photo
>img src=http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040522/capt.can12305222051.france_cannes_film_can123.jpg>
AFP Slideshow: Cannes Film Festival
'Fahrenheit 9/11' Wins Cannes' Top Prize (AP Video)
"Fahrenheit 9/11" was the first documentary to win Cannes' prestigious Palme d'Or since Jacques Cousteau's and Louis Malle (news)'s "The Silent World" in 1956.
"What have you done? I'm completely overwhelmed by this. Merci," Moore said after getting a standing ovation from the Cannes crowd.
The grand prize, the festival's second-place honor, went to South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook's "Old Boy," a blood-soaked thriller about a man out for revenge after years of inexplicable imprisonment.
Moore was momentarily flabbergasted when he took the stage to accept the award, a big difference from his fiery speech against President Bush (news - web sites) after winning the best-documentary Academy Award for 2002's "Bowling for Columbine."
"You have to understand, the last time I was on an awards stage, in Hollywood, all hell broke loose," Moore said.
The best-actress award went to Maggie Cheung (news) for her role in "Clean" as a junkie trying to straighten out her life and regain custody of her young son after her rock-star boyfriend dies of a drug overdose.
Fourteen-year-old Yagira Yuuya was named best actor for the Japanese film "Nobody Knows," in which he plays the eldest of four sibling raised in isolation, who must take charge of the family when their mother leaves.
The directing and writing prizes went to French filmmakers. Tony Gatlif won the directing honor for "Exiles," his road-trip about a couple on a sensual journey from France to Algeria.
Agnes Jaoui and her romantic partner, Jean-Pierre Bacri, won the screenplay award for "Look at Me," their study in self-image centering on an overweight young woman who feels neglected by loved ones. Jaoui and Bacri also co-star.
"Fahrenheit 9/11" won the top award at a festival that sharply divided Cannes moviegoers, who found a solid crop of good movies among the 19 entries in the festival's main competition but no great ones that rose to front-runner status.
While "Fahrenheit 9/11" was well-received by Cannes audiences, many critics felt it was inferior to Moore's Academy Award-winning documentary "Bowling for Columbine," which earned him a special prize at Cannes in 2002.
Some critics speculated that if "Fahrenheit 9/11" won the top prize, it would be more for the film's politics than its cinematic value.
With Moore's customary blend of humor and horror, "Fahrenheit 9/11" accuses the Bush camp of stealing the 2000 election, overlooking terrorism warnings before Sept. 11 and fanning fears of more attacks to secure Americans' support for the Iraq (news - web sites) war.
Moore appears on-screen far less in "Fahrenheit 9/11" than in "Bowling for Columbine" or his other documentaries. The film relies largely on interviews, footage of U.S. soldiers and war victims in Iraq, and archival footage of Bush.
Just back in Cannes after his daughter's college graduation in the United States, Moore dedicated the award to "my daughter and to all the children in America and Iraq and throughout the world who suffered through our actions."
"Fahrenheit 9/11" made waves in the weeks leading up to Cannes after the Walt Disney Co. refused to let subsidiary Miramax release the film in the United States because of its political content. Miramax bosses Harvey and Bob Weinstein are negotiating to buy back the film and find another distributor, with hopes of landing it in theaters by Fourth of July weekend.
Moore said after the ceremony that he expected right-wing media outlets in the United States to characterize his prize as an award from the French, whose government opposed the U.S.-led war on Iraq. He noted that the nine-person Cannes jury that awarded prizes had only one French member and four Americans, including jury president Quentin Tarantino (news) and actress Kathleen Turner (news).
Many Americans now realize the French are "good friends of America who tried to do the right thing and tell us this was the wrong road," Moore said. "We owe the people of this country an apology for the way they were debased and treated in our media."
Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul's "Tropical Malady" — widely regarded by Cannes audiences as a snoozer for its elongated scenes of a man wandering a jungle alone, with no dialogue — won the festival's third-place jury prize.
Another jury prize went to Irma P. Hall for her role as an elderly Southern woman who foils a casino robbery in the Coen brothers' crime comedy "The Ladykillers," starring Tom Hanks (news) as the heist's ringleader.
Keren Yedaya's "Or," about a Tel Aviv prostitute in failing health and her teenage daughter, won the Golden Camera award for best film by a first-time director. The U.S.-born Yedaya, who grew up in Israel, gives lectures about the problems of prostitution for government officials and mental-health professionals.
Earlier Saturday, Senegalese filmmaker Ousmane Sembene (news)'s "Moolaade," an examination of the ritual of female circumcision that earned rave reviews, won the top prize in a secondary Cannes competition called "Un Certain Regard."
The 12-day festival's closing film — "De-Lovely," Kevin Kline (news)'s musical biography of Cole Porter — screened immediately after the awards. Kline and co-star Ashley Judd (news) then hosted a beach concert featuring Sheryl Crow (news), Alanis Morissette (news), Natalie Cole (news) and other singers from "De-Lovely" performing Porter tunes.
The festival was to wrap up Sunday with encore screenings of award winners and other key movies that played the festival, including a combined, four-hour version of Tarantino's two "Kill Bill" installments.
Sundance is coming up next, lets see if they follow suit. I know some of the film festivals have some strange ways of judging movies. Some of the movies they have picked as winners I thought were duds. Others I have really liked. The point of these festivals and awards were to award good films that didn't have pop appeal. Or just pick great movies before all the hype. It seems to me Moore's film is nothing but hype. It is the same type of mocumentaries that he has been putting out for years. Even if I was a lefty I don't think I would like his films. Moore makes Frontline look like a right wing propaganda hit unit. I think I would rather sit and watch a 48 hour Hillery pick's marathon on PBS than watch this pile of steaming dung.
MOOR DEVOURS FRANCELOL!
Michael Moore holds up the "Giant Cruller", top prize at Cannes.
Well, duh - now *there's* a revelation!
1. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery.
I think there is general agreement here that if Rush broke a law he should pay. And yes it is a failing if you try to remove pain with drug abuse instead of the taking care of the cause of the pain. In some cases it is a crime (if you manipulate prescriptions or purchase illicit drugs) and sometimes it isn't (alchohol).
2. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.
The highest priority is protecting this country. If the U.N. happens to agree with us but does not act, that is their problem.
3. Government should relax regulation of Big Business and Big Money but crack down on individuals who use marijuana to relieve the pain of illness.
I think you'll see a quite a bit of arquing here at FR over marijuana, however it is still a crime to use it. I fail to see your arguement as to why we need to make capitalism a crime when it has provided bounty to billions around the world.
4. "Standing Tall for America" means firing your workers and moving their jobs to India.
Standing Tall for America means letting American conduct their business without harassment.
5. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.
The ultimate regulation on corporations is the market. I won't even begin to address your point on abortion, however I note your point 13 where you don't trust women to inform themselves on the dangers of smoking before doing it.
6. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
Nonsensical diatribe - no comment needed.
7. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.
This is actually a complex arguement regarding veteran's benefits - who is to be considered a veteran? Do you sacrifice the benefits of combat veterans by expanding benefits to everybody who has served? Personally I would happly cut 60% of the federal budget to properly fund Vet benefits, but you Dems have too many social engineering projects entrenched in the Fed budget to make that possible. The second part of your argument is completely false unless you are referring to Bill Clinton.
8. Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins unless you someday run for governor of California as a Republican.
End your sentence before "unless" and you are fine. We are all sinners, but that doesn't mean they should no longer be sins.
9. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.
Here's a novel idea: lets use schools for education instead of being a pharmacy outlet. Thanks for the rubbers mommy-state may I have some more!
10. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.
Or find new allies who are willing to work with you to destroy the world's biggest problem and reward them as such. (I won't run down my list with you, but your list is pretty much limited to France and Germany.
11. HMOs and insurance companies have the interest of the public at heart.
Strawman arguement - HMOs and insurance companies exist to make money and should be regulated by the market like everything else. If the government provides bad service where do you go?
12. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.
Please provide documentation on how the Iraqis have universal health care. Perhaps you are referring to getting hospitals open? I'm pretty sure most US hospitals are already open, except those that have been shut down by Dem trial lawyers.
13. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but Creationism should be taught in schools.
Let me parse your words - Global warming and second hand smoke are junk science. Global warming occured on Mars too - how many SUVs are on Mars again?
14. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Daddy Bush made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Baby Shrub needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
Perhaps you should do an internet search on "Cold War", "Iran Hostage Crisis", and "Gulf War" to understand America's role in Iraq.
15. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defence policy.
Lying under oath is an impeachable offense. I defy you to show where President Bush has lied.
16. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the internet.
If a marriage amendment is added to the Constitution it is "named" genius. Just an unfortunate necessity due to activist judges abusing their powers. I'm not sure what you are referring to in regard to censoring the internet; have you recieved a visit from the Secret Service after posting presidential death threats?
Some more reviews on Moore's movie
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/24315.htm
As a critic who awarded Moore's Oscar-winning "Bowling for Columbine" four stars, I was particularly disappointed with "Fahrenheit 9/11."
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/reviews/review_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000512305
So the real question is not how good a film is "Fahrenheit 9/11" -- it is undoubtedly Moore's weakest -- but will a film help to get a president fired?
http://movies.yahoo.com/news/va/20040523/108531357700.html
The influential trade paper Variety called the deftly edited movie "a blatant cinematic 2004 campaign pamphlet" and the Hollywood Reporter agreed, dubbing it "an election year device."
The prize should have been a roasted pig!
Add one more:
France has banned all homosexual marriages and will criminally prosecute any who attempt to perform them.
Massachusetts has embraced homo marriages and is now the official homosexual state.
Ironic?
At only 30 Alexandra has the same "let down" look as Moor does.
Amen!
p.s. note my tagline...
The only surprising thing is how many leftist Euro-weenies are so incapable of honesty that they could pretend otherwise. It's not like they're fooling anyone. Well... maybe themselves. But that's not much of a challenge.
Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime. Rush should be treated the same as any other person in this situation. Not singled out for extra zealous prosecution and punishment because he’s a prominent conservative. And ALL addicts need prayer for their recovery.
2. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq.
Our highest national goal is defending our country from Islamic terrorists. We used the “UN needs to enforce its resolutions” argument in an attempt to get them to help, and many have wrongly used that as a justification for the war. It was not the reason. Defense of our country by dismantling the terrorist structure, was.
3. Government should relax regulation of Big Business and Big Money but crack down on individuals who use marijuana to relieve the pain of illness.
Ah. I note the vague “Big Business and Big Money” moniker to denote a sense of evil. Ha ha.
Everyone knows that the “Medical Uses” argument for marijuana is just a vehicle to get it legalized for the general public. There are plenty of other options for pain relief, if that’s all they were interested in. Government should relax regulation on EVERYONE. “Big Business”, small business and individuals. Using cretin drugs is illegal. Not enforcing the drug laws would not be “easing regulation”. Would not enforcing laws against murder be “easing regulation”?
4. "Standing Tall for America" means firing your workers and moving their jobs to India.
Please show me one Republican or conservative who has said ANYTHING like that. Just one. Oh, that’s right. You not responding to what we say, but to what the latest left wing liberal talking points memo said. Sorry, doesn’t wash. How about letting businesses decide for themselves who they do or don’t hire? No? Can’t let them do that! That would be just TOO much freedom. After all, freedom to conduct your own affair only applies if people will conduct them in the way we lefties approve of.
5. A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all mankind without regulation.
It’s not “her own body”. There is another individual human being in there. Please show me where ANYONE on the conservative side has suggested anything like allowing “multi-national corporations” to make decisions affecting all mankind without any regulation. Just one. Oh yea. I forgot. It’s the talking points thing again.
6. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
You obviously have never spoken to a Christian about this subject or read the Bible. You’re using the liberal anti Christian version of Christian beliefs. Educate yourself, and come back.
7. The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.
Don’t know what “slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay” you’re taking about. There may be some debates about the amount of funding for veterans hospitals of something like that. I’ll bet that they would life up to the evil description of “slashing”. More than likely they’re just decreasing the amount of the yearly increase, and the Dems are calling it “slashing” just like the school lunch thing in the 90’s. I do know from friends in the military that moral has improved GREATLY since Clinton left office.
8. Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins unless you someday run for governor of California as a Republican.
Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins. Who on the conservative side ever said they weren’t. Does that mean that someone who has sinned can’t be governor? Who said that? Did many Republicans give him a “pass” on his past in the interest of winning? Yes they did. We have those in our party more interested in winning than anything else just like your party. This is a case of “take what you can get”. Is he the ideal Republican? Not by FAR. But, he’s what we have over there. We’ll have to work with him.
9. If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.
NO ONE has ever said that. More talking point nonsense.
10. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money.
Allow me to translate your Dem talking points. “We should beg the UN, and by extension, France and Germany, before we take any action to defend our country.” That’s essentially what you’re saying.
11. HMOs and insurance companies have the interest of the public at heart.
NO ONE has ever said that. More talking point nonsense. They exist to make money. The free market, if allowed to work, which it has not been for a long time in the medical field, will sort out the bad ones and bring better service to all. If you don’t like your exclusive government provided health care, where else you going to go?
12. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism.
You’re referring to the Iraqi “constitution” no doubt. It’s socialism here, and it’s socialism there. Conservatives (not necessarily Republicans) do not agree with it.
13. Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but Creationism should be taught in schools.
It’s the “science” on “second hand smoke” that’s in question. Conservative just want BOTH sides of the issues taught in schools, not the one sided evolution, enviro waco indoctrination that the kids are getting now.
14. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Daddy Bush made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Baby Shrub needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
Sadam was never a “good guy”. Did we help arm him in the past? Yes we did. You need to learn more history before you make goofy statements like that. It was considered in our best interests to help him in his war on Iran, and it came back to haunt us. Please explain when exactly “Cheney did business with him”. More talking points, no doubt.
15. A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which thousands die is solid defence policy.
A president lying, UNDER OATH, about ANYTHING, is an impeachable offense. You forgot those little details.
Please provide ONE lie President Bush told to enlist support for the war. You can’t. Your Democrat talking points did not serve you well in this matter.
16. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the internet.
Any gay person can get “married” anytime they want. Just find a “church” that will do it for you. Now, are you suggesting that the government refusing to grant the fags legal recognition to their little farce is the same as “banning” said activity? Not very sound logic on your part.
And please send me a link the first time you come to a web sight that has had it’s content censored by the government. You upset cause you can’t find your kiddy porn of something?
17. The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George W. Bush's driving record is none of our business.
What are you talking about?
18. You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have a right to adopt.
Again, what are you talking about?
19. What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '80s is irrelevant.
Still don’t know what the h*ll you’re talking about.
20. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is Communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
It so happens that I do not agree with the government’s position on trade with communist countries. But how do you think this demonstrates Republican hypocrisy when this was the same policy held by Democrats when they were in control?
What about what Senator Paper Cut did in the '70s? After all, its him that keeps bringing up that period in history "Tex."
I take lots of FR flak at times for being the movie addict that I am...
BUT
Michael Moore is where I draw the line. after his infamous slur of vomit w/words at the awards in 2003, I will NEVER give his work another nickle...yet alone 8.00+/ for a ticket.
I see most movies multiple times at theater & then by many, many DVD's.
This man is evil.
Thanks for post, disgusting as the info is!!!!
IMHO, the French have joined the Academy in meaninglessness. None of their awards henceforth will be as impressive as a trophy from the Third Street Tiddlywinks Club, as far as I am concerned.
All he has to do is look behind him.
How about responding to my post #73 about your little diatribe before you're banned again. Better make it quick. I hear purring.
Give us ONE lie that the president has told. Just one. If he's the lying scoundrel you say he is, then it should be VERY easy.
Quotes please, with references.
Just one is all we ask.
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