The Film Forum

'Sicko' Individual: Q&A With Michael Moore (continued)

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What was your reaction when you first learned that 'Sicko' had been leaked on the Web and was available to stream on YouTube? Obviously, the studio didn't want it out there, but were you happy in a way because it meant that people who probably would not have watched the film otherwise were now exposed to it?
That's exactly how I feel. I don't like our copyright laws and I believe that it's OK to share information and ideas and art. It's not OK to steal it and sell it, but if you're sharing it for free with your friends, that should be perfectly OK.

You projected the 'Sicko' trailer on buildings in Times Square, Sunset Blvd. and other heavily trafficked public areas. Have you seen any feedback from this?
I think a lot of people were talking about it. I think the best sites were where we projected on the headquarters of some HMOs and pharmaceutical companies. I think that people really enjoyed that.

In the film, you mention anonymously helping the man who runs the biggest anti-Michael Moore Web site to pay some medical bills. Now that your assistance is no longer anonymous, have you had any further contact with him?
Yes, I called him before the first time we screened it at the film festival in Cannes and told him it was me. I didn't want him to be surprised by it.

And what did he say?
He was very grateful and thanked me and wished the film well.

And then said, "I'm still going to talk smack about you on my Web site tomorrow"?
Ha. Well, he might. That's my point. His freedom of speech shouldn't be taken away just because he can't afford health insurance.

No, definitely not. Now, the most controversial part of this film for most viewers will likely be the finale, in which you travel to Cuba with a group of Americans to see if they can get the health care there that they've been denied here. The Cuban people and medical community seemed to embrace you with open arms. Were they aware in advance that you were coming to Cuba?
They were, but I told them we wanted the same exact care that the Cuban people get. I didn't want any special treatment. In fact, we went around and visited other clinics and hospitals to see how Cubans were treated to make sure we would get that kind of treatment.



What kind of criticisms or attacks do you foresee coming from Michael Moore naysayers after this film?
None. I think this is one thing Americans can agree on.

Who's your health care provider?
I belong to the Director's Guild, so I'm on of the nine percent of the American workforce that belongs to a union.

In a recent rally in L.A., you wished George Bush well. Are there really no hard feelings between the two of you?
Ha. You know, I've never uttered the words, "I hate George W. Bush," and I never would say that. He's a human being, he's a fellow American. We have a disagreement, but I'm sure he thinks what he's doing is best. And, you know, I think what he's doing is taking us down the wrong path and has made our country less safe. And we've lost a lot of time here, so we'll have to get it back.

Would you ever consider running for office, try to make a change that way?
I was actually the first 18-year-old in Michigan to be elected to public office, back when 18-year-olds were given the right to vote back in the '70s. I was on the Board of Education. So I did that for four years. And I got to be the boss of the principal [laughs].

And would you ever do that again?
No [laughs]. I've served my time in public office. Now I do this.

What topics out there are you just itching to tackle next?
Oh, there are so many things and I'm so tired right now I can't even begin to think of them.

And you're working on another film right now, correct?
Yes, yes -- but I'm not talking about it.

Have there been any films -- documentaries or otherwise -- that inspired you to do what you're doing now?
There was an early film that inspired me. It was about the Vietnam War, called 'Hearts and Minds.' I encourage people to check it out.

OK, one last question. Are there any movies -- other than your own -- that you're dying to see this summer?
Oh yeah -- 'The Simpsons Movie' [laughs]. Are you kidding? We're all waiting for that.

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