Posted on 05/19/2007 5:32:11 PM PDT by libertarianPA
CANNES, France - "Sicko," Michael Moore's attack on the U.S. health care system, got a warm welcome at Cannes Saturday that marked the director's triumphant return to the film festival and a respite from the controversy his work has started at home.
More than 2,000 people applauded loudly after the film's first Cannes screening at the packed Grand Theatre Lumiere, the main festival auditorium.
"I know the storm awaits me back in the United States," said Moore as he absorbed the enthusiastic response of critics and journalists.
The movie doesn't open until late June, but it has already been criticized by conservative politicians in the United States over scenes in which the filmmaker takes ailing 9/11 rescuers to Cuba for treatment.
"It's very much in the Michael Moore vein — hilarious, but I was crying through about a third of it," said Peter Brunette of the Boston Globe.
The trip to Cuba led the Treasury Department to investigate Moore for possibly breaking the U.S. trade and travel embargo on the communist country. He could face a fine or jail time.
Some have said the investigation is giving the film free publicity. Not Moore.
"I'm the one who's personally being investigated, and I'm the one who's personally liable for potential fines or jail, so I don't take it as lightly," he said.
On the advice of lawyers, the filmmakers spirited a master copy of "Sicko" outside the United States in case the government tries to seize it. Asked whether the inquiry could prevent the film opening in the U.S. as planned on June 29, Moore said: "We haven't even discussed that possibility."
Moore is a Cannes favorite. His last film, the war-on-terror documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" won the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, in 2004. "Sicko" is screening out of competition — Moore joked that he didn't want to appear like a "typical American" by greedily seeking another trophy.
Stephen Schaefer of the Boston Herald thought the film might do even better at the box office than the President Bush-bashing "Fahrenheit 9/11," which took $122 million in the United States.
"This could do even more," he said. "This is an issue that impacts more people. It's a huge issue."
In an online review, trade magazine Variety called it an "affecting and entertaining" film that "alternates between comedy, poignancy and outrage."
Moore said "Sicko" was actually meant to be a quieter and more reflective movie than the rabble-rousing "Bowling For Columbine" or "Fahrenheit 9/11."
There are no scenes of confrontation to match Moore's buttonholing of politicians in "Fahrenheit 9/11" to ask whether they would send their children to Iraq.
Instead, there are ordinary Americans telling heart-wrenching stories of being refused vital treatment. Moore also travels to Canada, Britain and France to take a look — possibly rose-tinted — at their systems of socialized medicine.
"I decided to make a different film this time," Moore said. "I wanted a different tone and I wanted to say things in a different way.
Moore said he hoped audiences would focus on the film's message, not the controversy.
"Why would we allow nearly 50 million Americans to go without any kind of health coverage," he said. "That's not America."
Who would’a thunk it?
Then again, maybe it won't.
(Great line from 'Stripes.')
Hopefully it wont.-———save his worthless life I mean.
Of course cannes loved this film ,it harms America. Thats what it was made for. Michael couldnt give a rats patoot about the sick.
I can’t stand the fat lying b*stard... but, don’t think I agree with the freaking system we have now either!
Hopefully your right!!!!!!!!!!!
People like him always make me stop and ask “WHY DO GOOD PEOPLE GET SICK AND DIE” and yet people like this live, he is obese and god knows what is going on in that gruesome body of his and yet he is still making money and breathing???
The problem with the system is government intervention. And he wants to increase it.
If a little poison doesn’t kill you, try a lot.
It's an autobiography?
Jay Severin talking to Don Imus on his show last year.”So Jay was it hot at the gathering last night? Severin: “Hot,I was sweating so much I felt like Michael Moore at and all you can eat buffet” !!!
Just another nazi propaganda film.
Moore joked that he didn’t want to appear like a “typical American” by greedily seeking another trophy.
Jerk. He needs to stay his butt in France.
“It’s very much in the Michael Moore vein — hilarious, but I was crying through about a third of it,” said Peter Brunette of the Boston Globe.”
Impartial “journalist”.
People like Moore amaze me. They incessently laud other healthcare systems in other countries, and yet always have their health care performed in the USA.
Neither the attendees at Cannes, nor Michael Moore, would go to Cuba for colon surgery ~ lest they then have to go to Spain to have their colon removed because of a botched job.
Moore helps the Euros feel comfortable with their prejudices about America.
It’s an autobiography?
No. That would be “Fatso.”
“It’s very much in the Michael Moore vein — hilarious, but I was crying through about a third of it,” said Peter Brunette of the Boston Globe.
.. That’s because your a weak, stupid ninny. Go see a John Wayne movie and get a grip on yourself, ya little pantywaist.
In Canada, everyone has equal access to very high quality health-care waiting lists.
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