Why We Fight--documentary made in 2005.

[markpkessinger]

12. I saw the premier screening of it in New York . . .

... At the end, as the final credits were wrapping up, a man stood up from the front row and introduced himself: it was Eugene Jarecki, the film's director. He very graciously stayed for close to an hour, engaging the audience in a fascinating and informative Q&A. One question I remember in particular was an audience member who asked Jarecki how in the world he was able to get so many Bush administration officials, some of them still serving, to speak so candidly, given some of their truly startling admissions made on camera. Jarecki said that it probably had a lot to do with the fact that he was, at the time, a relative unknown. He added, "I rather think that if I had been, say, a Michael Moore, I might have gotten a much chillier reception!" He then added further: "The thing about most of these guys is that they have enormous egos, and it doesn't take all that much to convince them to talk about themselves and their work on camera!"

Great film -- I cannot recommend it highly enough!