Some months back, I wrote a review of Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine. I was extremely impressed with that award-winning documentary, which I felt provided a well-considered, well researched and enlightening look at the culture of fear that seems to be a significant driving force in the progression of the United States economy. I was so impressed, I went back to the Esk Library, from where I’d gotten that video, and ordered in Moore’s recent offering, Fahrenheit 9/11, a documentary about events following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This film has also won numerous awards and has received critical acclaim worldwide. But for myself, sorry Michael, what a disappointment.

Certainly, Moore brings to light some very interesting and controversial material regarding the relationship between George W. Bush and his father with the bin Laden family and other wealthy Saudis. And just as certainly, there is compelling evidence presented that gives veracity to suggestions that some truths may have been hidden, whilst some untruths were promoted as fact. And indeed, there is no denying that the Bush administration and various corporations and individuals, particularly those associated with the construction and sale of weapons, both in the U.S. and in Saudi Arabia, have thrived on the fear of terrorism which has engulfed the United States population since that day when nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in New York City. There is also, as Moore points out, little to support the United States invasion of Iraq. It was not Iraq that had close family ties with Osama, but rather, that was his homeland, Saudi Arabia. According to Moore, it all comes down to oil and money. But this is not news. For a nation that prides itself on its capitalistic ideology, the land of Disney and Coca-Cola, everything, ultimately, is about money. And the leader of that nation, George W. and his father, George H., have done quite well financially, according to Moore, by shaking hands with numerous members of the Saudi rich, including the bin Laden family.

Unfortunately, however, it is unlikely Moore’s revelations in this film would cause his targets much concern. The film comes across as the frail whimperings of a vague conspiracy theorist. It lacks the punch, the tight editing, the push-and-pull of the viewer’s emotions that so grabbed me, at least, with Bowling for Columbine. But I do not cast this film aside completely. It is definitely a documentary that deserves a wide audience – not because it is a powerful film, but because it does reveal how powerful people have sought, and in many ways succeeded, to mislead the world in order to hide their own complicity in, and profit from, the terror that mars the beginning of this millennium. If you already believe there is something ‘suss’ about the Bush administration and the invasion of Iraq, then this film will serve to fuel your beliefs. The disappointment, however, is that this film will not likely change anyone’s mind. But then, those who would believe the intentions of an American president, who claims “I’m a war president”, are well-meaning intentions for the good of all humankind, are those who may well be swayed – for those are gullible people. Though I would not rate this film as ‘must see’ from a technical point of view, or even as an inspiring text, I would suggest it deserves a viewing. The truth is out there somewhere. And Moore is just the person who may well have found it.

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