The movie did not premiere at the State, and the area premiere had taken place days earlier in Bellaire in Antrim County, 30 or 40 miles away.I like the State Theatre, and without the free market and capitalism, it would not exist. It exists as it does now due to the hard work of invidual volunteers, and the voluntary financial donations of privately-run organizations and also from weathy individual benefactors. There might be some government grants involved (non-capitalist), but I don't think they made a lot of difference to the project.
14 comments:
Yes, but have you seen the movie? It is my understanding that Moore has had a lot to do in supporting that venue and is the prime mover in the TC film festival.
But I thought government couldn't do anything right? How could government possibly be involved in supporting something good, like a movie theatre you like?
Obviously, that's an exaggeration.
But saying that Moore somehow opposes capitalism is just as much an exaggeration. Moore charges money to get into his films and own his DVDs, so he obviously doesn't oppose all capitalism.
Asking to round the rough corners off of capitalism, so it doesn't destroy itself (cf 1929 and 2008), is not the same as an argument to end it altogether.
Michael Moore has made oodles of evil capitalistic bucks on all of his movies, including this one. He's laughing all the way to the bank.
Michael non-Moore: There may have been some government grants somewhere involved in the theatre, but most of what made it possible came from private charities, individual volunteers, and a few wealthy and influential benefactors.
And, come to think of it, a large number of other financially-contributing individuals.
I haven't seen it yet. Michael Moore definitely seems to manipulate his work. Sometimes it works and sometimes it falls flat.
I am looking forward to seeing this. His work is provocative and invites discussion, which I appreciate.
Dmarks, yes, that movie theater was put there by capitalism, but capitalism is not the only system that could do it, as I'm sure you know. Socialism could do the same. Communism could have done it too.
In fact, in Russia during the Soviet times there were more movie theaters (2,337) than there are now under capitalism (1,510), according to this week's Newsweek.
Moore's movie will be watched in capitalist and socialist movie theaters around the world. He will make money in both.
Sometimes you have to wonder why there are still as many movie theatres as there are now, with people watching DVDs at home.
In Russia as elsewhere, as the number of theatres go down, the number of "home theatres" soars.
Isn't the whole point that people, and nations, make terrible choices when they (we!) are blinded by ideology? Michael Moore earns a lot of money because he makes interesting movies that people willingly pay to see. He works hard at it, too. The State Theatre is there because he and a lot of other people had a vision of what it could become, and the generous support of Rotary and many, many individuals brought that vision to life. Capitalism "built" the theatre and then abandoned it to rot. Community spirit brought it back to life.
That community spirit what capitalism is all about too: individuals making their own choices of what to do with their time and their earned money. Based on their own informed choices.
"That community spirit what capitalism is all about too: individuals making their own choices of what to do with their time and their earned money. Based on their own informed choices."
EXACTLY! That's what I was going to say if you hadn't already. It's about freedom and freedom to do with what you earn as you see fit.
Did you manage to watch this one? Is it worth your time?
No, I've not. I know someone who almost saw it, but did not.
Michae said: "But saying that Moore somehow opposes capitalism is just as much an exaggeration"
Actually, I saw him on an interview show yesterday. The host asked if he opposed capitalism, and Moore nodded.
Post a Comment