Fahrenheit 9/11 Documentary Film Fahrenheit

Fahrenheit 9/11

Documentary Film

Fahrenheit 911 was released on 24th June 2004. The film is directed and written by Michael Moore who is also part of the film producing team along with Jim Czarnecki and Kathleen Glynn. The cinematography was done by Mike Desjarlais and the music was done by Jeff Gibbs. This film was distributed by Lions Gate Film/IFC. (Berardinelli) The film had a running length of one hour fifty two minutes. Fahrenheit 9/11 made its debut in 2004 Cannes Film Festival where it received the greatest standing applause from the mass in the history of that festival and was awarded with the Golden Palm, which is the festivals highest award. Apart from United States and Canada, this film was released in 42 other countries. The film examines and analyzes George W. Bush then president of United States of America and his policies on war of terror and highlights role of media on war against terror.

After the commencement of the movie, it is told that how George W. Bush and his political allies handled the voting controversy in Florida and how they combined to formulate this election fraud. (Berardinelli) Then the movie moves towards the 9/11 attack where it tries to inform the audience that President Bush was made aware of the first plane crash into the World Trade Centre while he was going to the school and then shortly after that the second plane collided with the World Trade Centre while the president was in the class after which he was informed again and told that United States of America was under attack but despite this the President continues to read the book for approximately for seven more minutes.

The film points out that why 9/11 took place and what were the repercussions of this act. It points out Americas attack on Afghanistan and then attack on Iraq in the name of war on terror. Moore compares the situation in Iraq before it was attacked and after it was attacked. He tries to tell that people living in Iraq were relatively much happier before the American forces attacked them. Moore also points out that how the Bin Laden family who were in USA before Afghanistan was attacked was sent back on a secret flight one day before starting the war on terror. In this movie, Moore also blames that George W. Bush was responsible for bringing in the fear into the hearts of the Americans that they were now no longer safe and in order to be safe they need to support his war on terror policies.

The movie than shifts its focus on the families affected by the crash of the World Trade Centre and families of those soldiers who were fighting for their country as according to him for so called war on terror. Later in the movie Moore dedicate this film to his friends and all (Youngs) (Berardinelli) those who were no longer alive because of 9/11 and aftermaths of 9/11. (Berardinelli)

Overall, the movies received lots of appreciation and did great business on the box office. Film was also shown in Iran where American films are not supposed to be shown. Film also received positive response by the critics. Most of them also felt that the movie depicted one side of point-of-view but in spite of that, it was worth watching. Fahrenheit 9/11 became the highest grossing documentary of all time, which grossed over $222 million. Apart from the Palme d'Or award, which this film received in the Cannes Film Festival it also, received People's Choice Awards and four Razzies for its performances. (Youngs)

The most vibrant thing about this movie were the interviews that were or given an emotional touch to show the viewpoint of the citizens of the United States of America. Like interview with Lila Lipscomb, whose son Michael died in Iraq and interview with another woman whose son was still alive. Many people were moved by these interviews but this again leaves a question of credibility as Moore reputation is not enough for people to just accept the fact that these interviews were for real or it was all made up.