“Manufacturing Dissent” creators Debbie Melnyk and Rick Caine certainly aren’t the first to expose Michael Moore’s manipulative filmmaking techniques. But far from being vengeful haters, this Canadian husband and wife team initially sought to make a positive documentary about Moore, whom they respected deeply. After continual refusals by Moore for an interview, they instead followed him on his “Slacker Uprising” speaking tour, interviewing some of his former colleagues along the way. Moore’s true character reveals itself as Melynk and Caine whisk us into the past, guide us through his career path, and land squarely in Moore’s present wake.
The most laudable of Moore’s errors was also one of his first. After centering the premise of “Roger & Me” around himself (!) and his quest for an interview with GM’s Roger Smith, he actually obtains two interviews with the CEO. Instead of rearranging the story within his documentary to align with the truth, Moore pushes the façade. Another cringe-worthy moment sees a resident of Flint ask Moore why he mocked their fundraising efforts in the film and questions what he plans to contribute to the community. Moore scoffs, proudly announcing, “I’m sorry I made a movie millions of people want to see.” This is a poignant example of how Moore is more invested in himself than the movements he parades on screen.
The tally of Moore’s cons is seemingly endless; that “Bowling for Columbine” scene where he famously enters a bank and leaves with a gun? All staged. Moore and his people spent 30 days setting that up. Melnyk and Caine find no shortage of individuals who expose Moore’s lies; but instead of pushing this angle to create a more controversial (and possibly more profitable) film, they provide a fair, even-grounded approach by also addressing the good Moore has done for the political left. “Manufacturing Dissent” has all the ingredients of a good doc – its creators present their intentions at the outset and openly admit how their biases changed throughout the filming process, while giving equal credence to both sides of the issue and letting the actions of their subject speak for themselves.
Effectively timed to coincide with the release of “Sicko,” “Manufacturing Dissent” provides an integral balance to Moore’s skewed vision, however well intentioned it may be to serve the needs of the left. As one interviewee aptly notes, good intentions lose all value when you utilize lies as the foundation of your cause.
http://www.manufacturingdissentmovie.com/
INFAMOUS MAGAZINE, AUG 2007 ISSUE
