The writer and filmmaker discusses satire, politics and the violence of modern America
PROFILE
Michael Moore is still in despair over the last US presidential election. He calls President Bush "a thief-in-chief, a trespasser on federal land, a squatter at the Oval Office". Despite talking about one of the most popular American leaders in history, at a time when the States are especially United, Moore's assaults on the Bush administration are proving increasingly popular.
His book Stupid White Men takes numerous pot-shots at "President" Bush and has been a bestseller in the US and UK. Moore's success now continues with the new film Bowling for Columbine, a typically humourous but also chilling look at America's gun culture.
TV Nation
With such shows as TV Nation - shown in the UK on BBC Two - Moore swung his satirical spotlight on the political arena, and sought to expose the hypocrisy and corruption of big-bucks America.
Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, Michael Moore was propelled on to screen by the decision of General Motors to close the factory that employed most of his family. Moore "just got mad" and tracked down company chairman Roger Smith, to confront him. He also decided to make a film of his experience. He was 35 years old, "had seen lots of movies, and just thought, well, how difficult could it be?"
Diverse appeal
The end result, the light-hearted but moving Roger and Me won a host of international awards, became one of America's most successful ever documentaries and made Moore a multi-millionaire.
Since then his shows TV Nation and The Awful Truth have successfully conveyed a spirit of dark humour and disbelief at the reality behind the American dream.
Unlike most liberal dissenters, Moore has found his niche. He enjoys his "very wide, broad audience that goes deep into mainstream America".
His speciality has been to undercut the obvious poignancy of his stories with a mischievous streak.
Stunt man
On one occasion the filmmaker gathered a crowd of carol-singers onto the porch of a tobacco company. But with a typical Moore twist, the sound was a cacophony of voice-boxes. The whole group had lost their larynxes due to smoking. Moore just tells the stories and trusts his viewers to make judgements. He says: "I trust the intelligence of the audience, that they'll get it and know where we're coming from."
Everyone wins
Of course, the irony is that the major players Moore seeks to humble are the same big spenders who sponsor his television programmes and books. The more successful his form of guerrilla journalism, the more money they all make. Moore waits for the day his audiences take on the struggle themselves, saying, "One day there'll be no need for me. I'm actually hoping to put myself out of business".
In the meantime, he's content to exploit his financial appeal. Of these hungry corporate animals, he explains: "One of the wonderful flaws of capitalists is that they will actually help me produce something against their interests, if they can make a dime out of it."
Stupid they may be, but not that stupid.
Caroline Frost
Previous documentaries on BBC Four
