Documentary film maker Michael Moore has had quite a bit of success over the past few years, largely I believe due to his ability to present his story in an entertaining fashion. There's no doubt his doco's do fall short with regards to a balanced presentation of fact, but they spark the audience to think about the issues and that's a good thing.
The recent financial crises has given Moore material to further display the problems with the USA today. The relentless push by the people and the corporations to make as much money as possible while dismissing the basic requirements that people need in a civilised society fuel the film that titles this post. Focusing on the decay of industry in several American cities and the tragic effects of the GFC on ordinary people who find themselves in financial ruin, Moore spends much of the film holding the concept of capitalism as the villain responsible for the mayhem.
I was starting to get a little annoyed at this biased view as the film rolled merrily on, as I felt it was far too simplistic to blame capitalism for the evils of the world. And then, finally, he hit on what the real problem was. I actually have a great deal of admiration for the USA and the economic principles that have resulted in its wealth. It has fueled innovation, provided efficient resource distribution, and improved standards of living for many people. But, it has to be said that previous American governments have been so horrendously useless it beggars belief. Under the ridiculous excuse of anti-communism, previous administrations have constantly deregulated important industries and left them to the vulturism of big business. Health is one, and finance another. Large profit making firms are simply not to be trusted, and it is a foolhardy government that hands control of industries over to these companies and invites them to do with them whatever they like. Regulation is important, because it keeps the bastards honest.
I sometimes wonder whether Moore's films ever result in change. Some indications are that things are heading in a more positive direction under the Obama administration, so perhaps things are improving. The things is, until the USA puts its people first and it's corporate scum second, I fear we will see more and more of Moore.
I need all the economics training wheels I can get from both sides of the regulation argument, and while I may not be rushing to see more Moore, it sounds like a great little flick to play for a Year 12 business studies class on a rainy day ... Moore's films achieve what films do more easily than books, althought generally it's a Mooreish audience who aren't the ones afraid to crack open one of those odd squarish objects containing pages.
ReplyDeleteCertainly good films to spark intelligent discussion, but they are biased and fail to examine both sides of a story in order to focus on a more entertaining point of view.
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