SICKO!!

Incendiary documentarian Michael Moore has a penchant for ticking people off. After all, he's the man responsible for chastising Americans for their obsession with violence in the 2002 Oscar-winning doc 'Bowling for Columbine.' And -- as if you'd forgotten -- he also famously ripped President Bush a new one in 2004's 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' which examined Bush's mishandling of Middle East policies and earned $119 million (by far a record for documentaries) in the process. But if you think you'll object to Moore's newest film 'Sicko,' about the dire need for U.S. health care reform (and, more specifically, universal health care), you may want to put down those "We Don't Want Moore" banners and get ready to do something you never thought possible: wholeheartedly agree with the man.In 'Sicko,' Moore travels to England, France, Canada and even Cuba to see how the health care programs in those countries stack up to our own (hint: they're better), and exposes how even those U.S. citizens with health insurance are victimized by the system. The result is a film that is simultaneously informative, jaw-droppingly scary and immensely entertaining. It is also Moore's least controversial, least partisan film to date. And, as the filmmaker himself told us in an exclusive interview, that could be a very dangerous thing. Why make a movie about the failings of the U.S. health care system now, at this specific moment in time?Well, it is the number one domestic issue in the country, according to every poll that's taken. It is something that affects everyone. Everyone gets sick. Everyone needs to see the doctor at some point. And it's the best example of how our system is set up to benefit the few at the expense of the many.A lot of critics are saying that this is your least controversial film to date. Why do you think they're saying that ... and do you agree with them?I think maybe a better way to put it is that it may end up being a more dangerous film because it's less controversial, because it does reach out and will appeal to all kinds of people and not just hard-core Democrats. And because of that, if it reaches more people it has a better chance of having some impact.

Do you think you have the chance to win over some more people, the kind of people who wouldn't have seen a Michael Moore film a few years back?Yeah, but I won them over not just by making this film but because they remember that crazy guy in the ball cap was one of the first to say that we're being led to war for fictitious reasons and that it wasn't going to work. Now, after all these years, people are seeing that's exactly what happened. So if I turned out to sort of have my finger on the pulse that time, maybe the next time it might be worth listening to what I'm saying.What do you hope to accomplish with 'Sicko'? Do you just want to bring the issue to the fore of U.S. consciousness and spark a discussion, or do you think the film could actually be a catalyst to reform?You know, it's hard to say. First and foremost, I make movies to entertain people and to give them a great two hours on a Friday night. So that's what I hope will happen.Do you think we'll ever have universal health care?Ha. Oh yeah. We're the last of the industrialized countries. The other 24 have it. We're the last one. So yeah, it'll definitely come to us.In your opinion, what are the steps to get there?People are going to have to demand it because the politicians will not do it on their own. They're taking way too much money from the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical companies. So only if people stand up and demand it, tell their members of Congress they want it, will it happen.So, on the most basic level, if someone sees your film and gets fired up about the issue, what can they do to actually make a difference?There's a bill in Congress H.R. 676, sponsored by Representative John Conyers. Tell your representatives to sponsor that bill.


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.