Fahrenheit 9/11: A Scathing Documentary that has the World Talking

Michael Moore's latest documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11, has left audiences stunned and politicians reeling. The film's unflinching critique of President George W. Bush's policies has sparked heated debates about the war on terror and the administration's handling of the aftermath of 9/11. Moore's measured, oily voiceover is plump with conviction as he manipulates the facts with care to paint a damning picture of the President's inner circle. The film's most powerful images include footage of the impact of bombs, horrific wounds, abusive troops, and humiliated Iraqis, which serve as a nightmarish parody of Vietnam.

Key Takeaways:

• The film's central argument is that President George W. Bush's policies are driven by a desire to secure oil pipelines and serve the interests of the wealthy elite.
• Moore argues that the war in Afghanistan was not motivated by a desire to bring Osama bin Laden to justice, but rather to secure the oil pipeline from the Caspian Sea.
• The film criticizes the Bush administration's handling of the aftermath of 9/11, highlighting the failure to catch bin Laden and the subsequent invasion of Iraq.
• Moore accuses the president of intellectual lightweight, spending 42% of his working life on holiday, and having more to say about the mating habits of his family dog than about al-Qaeda.
• The film highlights the administration's connections to Saudi interests and the Saudi investment of $860 billion in the American economy.
• Moore's critics argue that his lack of journalistic rigor and sensationalism undermine the film's credibility.

Statistics:

• 15% of the film's runtime is dedicated to the President's reading of My Pet Goat to school children after being informed of the 9/11 attacks.
• 42% of President Bush's working life is spent on holiday.
• An estimated $860 billion in Saudi investments in the American economy has been divested in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.
• 30 jets belonging to the bin Laden family were allowed to fly out of the country 24 hours after the grounding of all Western planes.
• 14 of the 9/11 hijackers were Saudi citizens.

Sources:

• Michael Moore, Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
• Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times (review)
• Roger Friedman, Fox News (review)
• Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune (review)
• Ty Burr, Boston Globe (review)
• Dave Calhoun, Time Out (review)
• Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times (review)
• Patrick Sabatier, Liberation (review)