Sicko, the NHS and where are the UK documentary makers?

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by DB7 I wouldn't class it as polemical, he charted events from its celebratory opening to tragic conclusion and never takes sides during the narrative. Pretty much nobody comes out of it looking good and Macdonald allows the talking heads of those involved to drive the story. Whilst Moore opens up his 911 film to prattle on about Texan oilfields and asking senators to sign their kids up for military service, Macdonald rarely allows the history of the Palestinian conflict to impact on his film. I suppose this removes some of the background as to the terrorists motive, but also means the murders can't be some how legitimised as politically expedient.

I was thinking more of the "convenient" way that Al Gashey was allowed to be returned. And the way that they made everyone, but mainly the Germans, to look like total idiots. He didn't have to try too hard to do that, they did a lot of it themselves. Not only shooting each other at the airport but also the way they tried to break into the compound - with policemen "disguised" as athletes in track suits, but still wearing bullet-proof vests and coal-scuttle helmets!

Maybe not exactly polemical

But Kevin Macdonald is still a great documentary maker which was one of the original questions in this thread.

Steve

[DB7]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook And the way that they made everyone, but mainly the Germans, to look like total idiots. He didn't have to try too hard to do that, they did a lot of it themselves.

The Germans messed up but imho this was one of the first acts of terrorism as we've come to know it and the required specialist training probably wasn't in place.

As for Brits. Greengrass is currently filming a British production called "Imperial Life in the Emerald City", based on true accounts of life inside Baghdad's green zone.

[Redstar]

If a small impoverished island like Cuba can manage a free health service that is amongst the best in Latin America why can't the rich US do the same for its people? Films like these (although I dont care for Michael Moores style) do open peoples eyes. The Australian documentary maker John Pilger has made a few good films.
I think the best British documentaries were made before during and after the second world war. Albeit they were mostly shorts about the Railways, Post Office, Seamen and other working communities they displayed a realism lost to modern British cinema

[orpheum]

One interesting thought.How is it that an american moviemaker can get his films shown in cinemas here when this never to my recent knowledge happens with british moviemakers

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by orpheum One interesting thought.How is it that an american moviemaker can get his films shown in cinemas here when this never to my recent knowledge happens with british moviemakers

Because of the way that most cinemas sign up with deals to block book. They have to do that to get the American blockbusters screened, and they have to show them to pay the rent. But that means that they often have to sign up to show lots of other American films as well.

It's not a new problem, it's been happening since the 1940s or even earlier

Steve

[DB7]

Originally Posted by orpheum One interesting thought.How is it that an american moviemaker can get his films shown in cinemas here when this never to my recent knowledge happens with british moviemakers

Miramax backing?

[orpheum]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Because of the way that most cinemas sign up with deals to block book. They have to do that to get the American blockbusters screened, and they have to show them to pay the rent. But that means that they often have to sign up to show lots of other American films as well. It's not a new problem, it's been happening since the 1940s or even earlier Steve

I was under the impression that block booking was outlawed.Also this film is not released so far as i can recall by a major distributor so i doubt that the distributor would have much else to offer that would oblige them to screen this film.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by orpheum I was under the impression that block booking was outlawed.Also this film is not released so far as i can recall by a major distributor so i doubt that the distributor would have much else to offer that would oblige them to screen this film.

It may be outlawed, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. And as DB7 said, it was made and distributed by Miramax (as The Weinstein Company)

I'm not saying that anyone did, but it'd be quite easy for hints to be dropped saying that if they didn't take this then they wouldn't get any other Miramax titles on first release

Steve

[orpheum]

its not miramax thats the company owened by disney.the weinsteins have set up a new company called the weinstein compnay.I do not believe that they are distributors just a production company.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by orpheum its not miramax thats the company owened by disney.the weinsteins have set up a new company called the weinstein compnay.I do not believe that they are distributors just a production company.

IMDb lists The Weinstein Company as the production company and as distributors for Sicko.
Companies may get bought and sold and renamed, especially in film production and distribution. But Weinstein's influence remains

Steve

[DB7]

Originally Posted by orpheum its not miramax thats the company owened by disney.the weinsteins have set up a new company called the weinstein compnay.I do not believe that they are distributors just a production company.

They are distributed by MGM.

[orpheum]

MGM is now owned by Sony