Review of Manufacturing Dissent (2007) by Jess L — 06 Nov 2007

A documentary, though more of an expose, on Michael Moore's underhanded techniques in film making. The makers of this doco set out with the intention to interview Moore during the release of Fahrenheit 911. What eventuates however is a portrait of Moore as an asshole who fabricates events in his documentaries and denies interviews to these filmmakers who are only trying to mimic what he has done himself in previous films such as Roger and Me.

It doesn't take long to begin to dislike Moore through his representation in this film. Regardless of opinion on his actual films he does not come across as a likable person and with plenty of testimonies to back this up you are left doubting his character and in turn his documentaries.

This is of course a one sided film, Moore apparently did not want to do a sit down interview, and the snippets of footage they have in conversation with him illustrate him in a defensive and arrogant way. As they raise the point of not taking Moore's films at face value, so too we should not with this doco. It is interesting, well put together and with a great range of interview subjects the film successfully paints Moore in a negative light and makes the viewer question the power of propaganda in American media today. A good film to get the brain thinking.