Michael Moore attempted to avoid the anti-Bush sentiment throughout the film to appease a broader audience, but ultimately, I feel the documentary was unsuccessful. With an opening release date of 25 June 2004, the war continued with little to no real opposition and the Bush administration was preparing to win a re-election. While the film successfully gnawed at my emotions, I could not help but feel underwhelmed by the documentary as a whole.
There were very intense war visuals that I really would have been fine with not seeing, again. I served in Iraq from Aug 2003 to Mar 2004 as a combat medic in Fallujah. I know the average American does not get to see the realities of war, but I think a strong, educated message could have been depicted without the violence and carnage of war on film. Sometimes during the documentary I felt Michael Moore had too many things he wanted to say, or maybe felt needed to be said that made the film feel almost accommodating to an apathetic audience.
I had a difficult time finding people who agreed with my unique sentiments in cyberspace. When I was searching for veteran responses to the film, I found lawsuits from injured soldiers that were featured in the film without permission: the young man with missing limbs talking about his experiences and difficulties of being an amputee (http://www.stoptheaclu.com/2006/05/31/wounded-soldier-sues-michael-moore/) and a whole lot of blogs with words like bluegrass, red state, conservative and patriot in the titles. Some went through great lengths to counter and discredit Moore, making sure that Americans knew that soldiers voted almost four to one for Bush and his re-election (Fact No. 38 http://fahrenheit_fact.blogspot.com/.)
The tragedy of 11 September 2001 and the subsequent wars to follow are going to be remembered by those who experienced the horrific events first hand and I know the impact of the film Fahrenheit 9/11 will never come close. I appreciate the time and energy that went into compiling all of the footage and information, no matter the validity of every claim. I will always remember the war and the impact it had on my life and the lives of my fellow soldiers, but this documentary will be easily forgotten. Nothing has changed in the years following the film and I have little hope change is coming.
Fantastic post - your authentic voice and personal stake in the conversation is so strong. Your experience provides a unique point-of-view for interpreting the film -- your feelings about the lack of real impact, and your lack of hope for change.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you feel that there is any possibility for changing hearts and minds of a broad and engaged public? How might you educate those who have not fought? How might you use the communication tools and storytelling platforms available to reach a citizenry hungry for information, connection, and to make a difference?
In a distinctly nonpolitical way, but leveraging the power of documentary storytelling, here's how a couple of my friends did it: http://www.returninghomeproject.org/
I was touched by this post. The tone is genuine and heavy-hearted. It stirs with an honest, almost sad, calm that permeates the hysteria, name-calling, and petty jabs of the drama and outrage surrounding (and within) this film.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Wendy, thanks for the link. I passed it onto my father, a Vietnam Vet who still suffers with his memories.