In 2004, filmmakers learned controversy can turn into big bucks

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 12/30/4 | Mick LaSalle

[SmithL]

The story of this year's cinema is the story of two movies, Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" and Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11." Both were independently financed. Both had trouble getting released. Both were unfairly derided before anyone saw them. Both were aimed at niche markets. And both were fantastically successful, beyond the most optimistic projections of their respective filmmakers.

Both capitalized on a philosophical division within the country. In fact, the strong feelings the two inspired in their respective adherents had something to do with the knowledge that others were going to hate it. Audiences went to each film, not just to see a movie, but to express their values and to have a communal experience with like-minded people. They went to get away from all those creeps in the world outside. In this frame of mind, they were guaranteed to love the movie they saw -- and to see the movie they expected to see.

Yet, aside from film critics, few people actually saw both movies. They saw one or the other. Or they saw neither. But no matter what, they had an opinion.

[timtoews5292004]

writer of the article is making a pretty big assumption that not everyone went to see both. I'm of the opinion that if I am going to comment on something controversial, I'd better actually see what all the fuss is about, and to be properly versed in both sides of an argument so I can more readily defend my own viewpoint . So, as a result of that philosophy, I read/watch everything I can get my hands on, from both sides of the political divide.

I saw both movies. Thought one was excellent(Gibsons), and that one was a pile of horse manure(Moores').

[William of Orange]

'Passion' was rather good, and Fahrenheit was good comedy. Oh wait, you said it was a documentary?

[Only1choice____Freedom]

In 2004, filmmakers learned controversy can turn into big bucks

Actually this is a lesson they have known for a long time. Anybody remember "The Last Temptation of Christ" or "Life of Brian"?

[shubi]

I think comparing Moore's pack of lies to an artistic portrayal of Jesus is just stupid.

[Ciexyz]

There is no way that I am ever going to see Fahrenheit 9/11 or any other of Michael Moore's propaganda movies.

A friend loaned me a copy of "Roger and Me" after raving about it, so I agreed to watch it. Found it a tremendous bore and obvious, in-your-face propaganda. Insulted my intelligence.

[IronJack]

Good point. What made Passion controversial were the attempts by the secularists to smear it with every label imaginable. The subject matter itself is pretty unobjectionable to everyone blessed with a human soul.

Whereas Michael "Feed Me" Moore intended Fahrfromright to be a lie from the outset. It was engineered to help defeat the president, a president supported by more than half his constituency. That is a certain recipe for controversy.

And in the end, I suspect many more people saw Passion than Moore's cinematic sleaze.

[longtermmemmory]

Actually hollywood learned nothing. Passion of the Christ was NOT controversial. Only in the eyes of the left was it controversial.

Oliver stoned was retaught a lesson that sensationalism for the sake of sensational (aka LIES) will kill a movie.

Hollywood has still not figured out why men are not watching network TV anymore. (their solution? more homosexuals)

Hollywood learned NOTHING.

[newzjunkey]

Indeed. Controversy is not what caused folks to see these films. It was interest from their respective intended audiences who happened to actually turn out in droves.

[thulldud]

Michael Moore's hit piece was a melange of publicly-available film clips, suitably cropped and strung together to convey his particular message, pretty much as a ransom note can be constructed by clippings from a magazine.

The few bits which Moore apparently shot himself had all the polish and panache of a junior high school video project. Gave me motion sickness to watch it. At least he could have sprung for a steady-cam attachment.

Technically, it was no better than it was philosophically.

[weegee]

People did not go to see The Passion because of the "controversy".

It would be as assinine as claiming that people voted for President Bush because he was a "controversial" candidate.

[weegee]

Michael Moore created his "controversy" by claiming that Disney "backed out" of distributing his film when they said from early in production that they would not distribute it.

There has been no trail to show that Mel Gibson planted stories alledging him to be an antisemite.