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.
Maybe we should ask Nita first? Nita, are you in agreement?
bookmark
Wow. Two years ago. And Bergs' father is on all the MSM claiming Bush's fault, they're all poor victims.
That's perfectly okay with me. I won't have the time to contribute, but you guys are so good you won't even miss me. ;-)
I just pointed some people on this thread to the synopsis here (#1859), so there may be some interest, considering Michael Berg's recent statements.
I truly feel sorrow for Michael Berg. I hope he finds peace one day.
Now, Michael Moore is another matter entirely.
And just for the record: everyone else on this thread did most of the heavy lifting. I mainly did the summarizing. ;-)
Hi Nita! Now, I just realized, I don't have the required amount of talent either...to post #1859 as a thread, and do it in such a way that the Links are 'live' - I would hate to post it and then find the links don't work! Can I ask you to do it?
And yes, I am inclined to agree your summary would be of interest at this time. With the death of Z-man, and the developing friendship between Nick Berg's father and Cindy Sheehan...it sure is a strange world in liberal-land! ( I try not to go there, they make my head hurt.)
Hi again Nita! I just checked some of the links on the original thread...they all link back to the FReepers Home Page, not the original comment. Make sense?
If things change, I'll do it, but I don't see that happening within the next few weeks. Sorry!
Yes. All you need is something that will preserve the HTML formatting underneath it. I used Frontpage, but I also use Blink by Wojanware occasionally, which is a free download and works just as well.
thanks!
backhoe, please read today's continuation of this thread, Suzy asked that post #1859 be posted as a new thread - in light of Z-man's death, connection to Nick Berg and last but not least, Nick Berg's father standing for political office, endorsed by his new buddy, the invincible and disgusting Cindy Sheehan.
I'm not quick enough at learning new tricks - maybe you can do it?
Thanks.
Thanks Nita!!!
Why has the MSM let this information go unannounced? Is this really true? What did the MSM know this about this, and when did they learn it? For years they have used this to bludgeon Bush. At least Moore knew it, and he should be held to account.
Fred, I can't add much to Nita Nupress's excellent collection & summary of links, so I am going to add them to these:
The Berg Beheading- some links
I did, however, have this additional information on hand:
The father of Nick Berg is a tool of MoveOn.org and International ANSWER, and he responds in predictable moonbat fashion to the death of the man who decapitated his son: Father of Zarqawi victim draws no comfort from his death. link: 104 comments
It’s always a hoot to watch the “reality-based community” thrashing around after an important victory such as the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Before they get their talking points lined up, they babble uncontrollably like hyperactive foul-mouthed children with glossolalia. Dr. Sanity has a round-up of the reactions from the Nutroots.
Mark Coffey also took a wade through the sludge: Leftie Blogs Jubilant Over Death of Al-Zarqawi! link: 219 comments
The U.S. military has released video footage of the air strike that killed Zarqawi, and we've got it on Power Line Video, here.
It's awesome; don't miss it.
Roundups at Instapundit and Pajamas Media. They are hosting a podcast of "Richard Fernandez of the Belmont Club interviewing Omar from Iraq the Model - direct from Baghdad."
Comments open for celebration.
From the comments, this - On the CBC 6:00 a.m. radio news, the commentator called this an "alleged victory".
Well, to be fair - not everyone is celebrating.
Those links take you into the blogosphere- note well, those blogs which have "comments" enabled ( I provided links to a few ) are often treasure troves of information and more links- you have to wade through inside jokes, flame wars, and snarky quips, but the replies will frequently lead you to information not found elsewhere.
thanks backhoe, you're a champion!
Suzy, post 1859 has been included with backhoe's links:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1133927/posts?q=1&&page=166#166
THANKS!!
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