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...although his letter on michaelmoore.com seemed pretty straight-forward and logical: If his film is to be shown on TV in '04, it won't be eligible for a documentary nom. Surely he'd prefer the impact of getting it on the small screen (and reaching voters) to the personal glory of winning another Oscar. Let's remember also that the (presidential) election will be over long before Oscar nominating ballots for this year are even mailed to Hollywood voters.
I've read some press reports suggesting that Moore feels his film shouldn't be relegated to the relatively minor category of documentary, and wants to go for the "whole enchilada"---the Best Picture. Sure, Michael has a big ego, but he's also a very smart guy who's more savvy than he perhaps lets on about how the Hollywood game is played. (And he knows that no documentary has ever been nominated for Best Picture.) My guess is that he realizes he's got an amazing one-two punch going, with the Oscar for "Columbine" and the box-office records for "F-9/11." Moore will not be scrambling for financing any time soon, and he knows how fortunate he is to be in this unique position.
Michael's got a bunch more documentaries in him and I, like many of you, can't wait to see what he does next. I detect a hint of imperiousness in his statement that he'd prefer to stand aside and let some other worthy documentarian pick up an Oscar this year but, having said that, I believe his gesture will allow just that. There have been some great documentaries this year which have made a tiny fraction of what his earn (to his credit, he lists several on his website---with the magnanimousness that only comes with supreme success). At the end of the day, beyond what he's done with "F-9/11," Moore has transformed documentary filmmaking from a minor and traditionally ignored medium into a viable product in our commercial/capitalist civilization. I hope he will continue to spread the wealth---not in terms of money or awards, rather, in an increasing awareness amongst moviegoers that there's more to film than simply fantasy, denial and escape. If anyone can do it, it's Michael Moore.
I think Michael Moore has it within his power to be a truly revolutionary and transformative media figure. He is, as such, just at the beginning of his impact, in my opinion.
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