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Posted on 05/27/2004 9:26:51 PM PDT by Rennes Templar
May 27, 2004 | Filmmaker Michael Moore filmed an interview with American Nicholas Berg in the course of producing his documentary film "Fahrenheit 9/11" before Berg left for Iraq, where he was taken hostage and killed, Moore confirmed to Salon in a statement Thursday. The 20 minutes of footage does not appear in the final version of "Fahrenheit 911," according to the statement.
Word of the footage reached Salon through a source unaffiliated with Moore or his film "Fahrenheit 9/11," which is reported to feature stark images of U.S. civilians and soldiers grappling with conditions in war-torn Iraq, as well as examining the relationship between President George W. Bush and the bin Laden family. It received the Palme d'Or, the Cannes Film Festival's highest honor, on Saturday.
In a statement widely circulated by Moore's people after an initial request for comment by Salon, Moore said, "We have an interview with Nick Berg. It was approximately 20 minutes long. We are not releasing it to the media. It is not in the film. We are dealing privately with the family." Moore's camp declined to comment further on any aspect of the interview. Because the footage is not in the film, a spokeswoman for Miramax Films, the production company behind "Fahrenheit 9/11," said the company had no comment.
It was not clear from Moore's statement whether footage from the interview with Berg had ever been included in early cuts of "Fahrenheit 9/11." Reports about a film industry controversy surrounding distribution of the film first hit the news on May 5, a week before Berg's death. The film officially screened for the public and the press for the first time during the Cannes festival on May 17.
The news that Moore spoke to Berg while he was still in the United States only adds to the mystery surrounding the young man's presence in Iraq and tragic death. The interview was shot before the 26-year-old Berg left for Iraq late last year as a private contractor in the hopes of helping to rebuild the ravaged country. Though it was unclear what Berg spoke about in his interview with Moore, or how the two men met, unrelated reports following his death indicate that he headed for the Middle East with plans to work to improve the country's technological infrastructure and communication abilities. He ran his own company, Prometheus Methods Tower Service, in a suburb of Philadelphia.
Berg did not find employment in Iraq, and when he attempted to return to the United States he was detained by Iraqi police and questioned by American forces. He was released after his family complained. But shortly after, he is believed to have been kidnapped by Islamic terrorists. Video of his beheading was released on an Islamist Web site on May 11. Salon was unable to reach the Berg family for comment before publication.
Moore's film chronicles the United States' military, political and business involvement in the Middle East in the years before and after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. His previous politically charged films, including "Roger & Me" and "Bowling for Columbine," have created controversy and won him praise (including an Oscar, for "Columbine"). "Fahrenheit 9/11" has already sparked a media storm; in early May, Miramax's parent company, Disney, announced that it would not allow Miramax to distribute the film, which is highly critical of Bush and his administration.
Miramax has yet to make a deal with a distributor, though the film's warm reception at Cannes and the publicity surrounding the film have made it a hot property that is generating a lot of interest in Hollywood. "Bowling for Columbine" grossed $21 million, making it the highest-grossing non-IMAX documentary of all time.
A source close to "Fahrenheit 9/11" said that a new distributor will be announced shortly, and that the film is expected to be released in theaters during the first week of July, as originally planned.
One wonders if Moore filmed Nick's beheading or he has something to do with it...as in getting Nick there in the first place. Kerry probably knows about the Moore film also, since speaking with Michael (the Grave Robber) Berg.
Thanks!!
Put me on it.
Try to stay there a few more days. See if you can get picked up again. The issue of detaining "American Citizens" in Iraq (even with the lawsuit)hasn't really been picked up. Maybe this time, it will be. Tell my Iraqi friends: The check is in the mail!
There is also a possibility that MMoorree filmed a NB interview with some followup film in mind, and/or that he kept that footage out of the present film because it either:
1. would have been stronger used later on
2. didn't suit his "message"
3. importance was unrealized when he cut the film
4. to conceal linkage and connected dots
5. (i ran out of foil... someone take over...)
Eisner/Disney pulled the plub on Moore's new hatchet job film on 4 May.
Disney Forbidding Distribution of Film That Criticizes Bush
By JIM RUTENBERG
Published: May 5, 2004
ASHINGTON, May 4 — The Walt Disney Company is blocking its Miramax division from distributing a new documentary by Michael Moore that harshly criticizes President Bush, executives at both Disney and Miramax said Tuesday.
The film, "Fahrenheit 911," links Mr. Bush and prominent Saudis — including the family of Osama bin Laden — and criticizes Mr. Bush's actions before and after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks
Was Nick Berg a captive at that time? Was Berg still alive?
We heard about Berg being killed on 12 May. I believe that was the date.
What did Eisner/Disney know about Nick Berg and when?
Now what is this book?
"...Kerry probably knows about the Moore film also,..."
Remember when Kerry made a big deal about contacting Berg's father? Begs another question, is Moore supplying film to Kerry?
Well, Moore is a supreme Bush hater. It makes one wonder why having learned about Nick Berg's death Moore didn't immediately reveal he'd interviewed him and confirm he'd found he was an avowed Bush supporter.
Perhaps Moore was in fact directed to speak with Nick Berg by ANSWER and Michael Berg as in "Well, my son is a Bush supporter and is going to Iraq. Even so, you may want to speak with him about his thoughts on it." Then upon hearing what happened, I'd imagine Moore would waste no time (the father certainly didn't) yelling from the mountain tops that he knew for certain Nick supported Bush and the war and just look what happened.
Instead, he kept silent....
After a failed first term Presidency(approval ratings dipping into the 30's)Clinton's speech in Ok in all probability got him back on track for a second term. We all know now that his words rang hollow, and emboldened the terrorists to more of the same. The devastation and havoc that his presidency brought on this country is not only an indictment of him, but also on the press, who continue to provide cover for this human scum.
This crossed my mind as soon as I heard this.
I forgot to post it. Thanks for bringing it to the forebrain of us all.
.
I just found this:
In one of the several pieces of startling video exhibited for the first time in Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," we catch a candid glimpse of President Bush some 36 hours after his mother's breakfast TV interview — minutes before he makes his own prime-time TV address to take the nation to war in Iraq. He is sitting at his desk in the Oval Office. A makeup woman is doing his face. And Mr. Bush is having a high old time. He darts his eyes about and grins, as if he were playing a peek-a-boo game with someone just off-camera. He could be a teenager goofing with his buds to relieve the passing tedium of a haircut.
Now where is he getting that video?
I vote for number 4 - I think Moore is complicit, either directly or indirectly, in the beheading of an American citizen.
Apparently what we are asking here is whether Berg was a dupe or a victim of the leftist Holier-than-thou-Wood propaganda machine of which the likes of Moore, Reiner and other fascists are a part. Apparently Moore is one currently operating in Iraq; are there others?
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And to clarify my thoughts on what I just posted, it does not rule out the father knowing the real reason his son was over (going with the "he was over there as a spy for Michael Moore" theory) there...just that the father felt free to talk about the "cover story" that Nick was pro-war and pro-Bush while Moore had the inconvenient film of an interview that might contradict anything HE would say, therefore his silence.
(hope that's clear)
Internet too slow for freeping. Off to do some errands and hope it's better when I get back.
Hmmm...wasn't Berg arrested for trespassing at OU for this same reason? This is really creeping me out...thanks for the info!
There is something REALLY spooky about Moore NOT REVEALING he had recently filmed an interview with this sudden celebrity.
SOMETHING IS GOING ON HERE.
I daresay it is something nefarious.
.
Either Moore is using this story to spike his film (the same as the Disney lie and the Cannes award), or someone who knows something about the 20 minute segment is going to be very rich, very soon. Hope they know enough to go to FOX!
The Third Terrorist by Janya Davis a reporter in the OKC area. It's a must read by Freepers.
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