Synopsis:
Manufacturing Dissent is a controversial, well-rounded portrait of Michael Moore the man, and how he uses documentaries to affect political change. This “muckraking” film also explores Moore's documentary technique and reveals many incendiary surprises. Much of the film takes place during Michael Moore's 2004 Slacker Uprising Tour and explores the politically divisive climate in America that has helped Michael Moore rise to prominence. By looking at Moore's pop cult status, the film examines the impact of celebrity on our culture and also makes an inadvertent statement about freedom of speech.
Trailer or Clip:
A fun movie, but really weak informationally. Much second hand info and an obvious move to curtail on the fame of a political satirist. The film makers themselves used dishonest tactics with false IDs to get close to Mike Moore...then claim "journalistic Integrity!"...get off the high horse and accept it as a secont rate video done in the style of Mike Moore. No more journalism than the Enquirer or any other tabloid. Don't waste your time or seven bucks copy it from a right wing friend.
Melnyk and Caine are an embarrassment to Canada, for which Moore has only shown respect and care. Their chosen title for this hit piece is also an unfortunate insult to Noam Chomsky who would certaintly describe their documentary as a form of yellow journalism with the veneer of liberal respectability.
To me, their film embodies that typical liberal chattering classes ideal where anything is fair game for deconstruction and that no good progressive voice should go undermined.
Sure they may agree with everything Moore believes. Sure they can mouth progressive platitudes, but they show no such concern or solidarity for a fellow documentarian when they join the jeering throng calling for his head.
It’s also ironic and rich that they accuse Moore of having an oversize ego, when it is the perceived slight to their own oversized egos that forms the basis of this parasitic film.
At least they should acknowledge that without Michael Moore, no matter how you describe his filmmaking, there would not be a documentary renaissance. That in this instance they are literally riding his coattails while feeding the right-wing attack machine, should make them look long and hard in the mirror.