A friend of mine believed for a long time that the majority of Americans are pro-gun, war-happy, MAGAs. I've taken a good few years to show her many aspects of American culture that show that isn't the case at all. It's more nuanced than that, of course.
I should have saved my time and had her watch this when it came out.
People and corporations interested in keeping the status quo (the Establishment) are eager to rubbish any voice that challenges progress and change. If you think of it that way, perhaps it's always wisest to first at least listen to anyone who proposes change, for to understand what they think will be actions for the better.
You may not agree with them, but at least you listened to the possibility of something better and understand others' views. I'm sure most people are reasonable enough to know this already. Because by listening to other arguments, your argument would be better understood and you've engaged more effectively.
Now, here's the legacy of Mr Moore. He's now made a series of films over the last 30 years, which will at the very least be an important document in the history of (not only America) but the post-Cold War Western World,
In this particular film, he challenges the current administration but also the previous President (yes, OBAMA), the democratic process of the Democratic party, Flint water, gun use and more.
But that's the point with Moore. He does not just hit the right. The Right will tell you that's all he does. The MAJORITY of this documentary (and his back catalogue) is a swipe to all and sundry who do not represent democracy, wherever they may be on the political spectrum. And there's a healthy criticism of P44, not just P45.
Yes, he's clearly an humanitarian and liberal. However, to ignore watching this for the wrong reasons makes one a sucker to the status quo, the Establishment. And there's a good point - if you truly believe the Establishment is in need of special attention ('drain the swamp'), then why would you ignore such a piece? It's simply a call to vigilance.
It's also not a miserable piece. Like all of his films, there's humour in there. There's self-deprecation in there. There's positivity in there too - he talks a lot about the youth being increasingly interested in politics.
Of course, there are things to learn here too. The biggest fact for me was an explanation of how Trump came to run in the first place. I didn't know the reason behind it until today and it explains an awful lot.
Perhaps most poignantly of all, the end credit roll with K'naan singing the Dylan Song With God On Our Side. Again, spiriting the call for unity - we all think we're on the right side.
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