 |
|
|
Sacramento's Tower Theater can be counted on to show unusual films, and "Bowling for Columbine" is no exception. Like all Michael Moore's films, this documentary holds a problem in its beak and turns it around looking for answers. Here, the question of why gun violence is so prevalent in the U.S. is explored in connection with the Columbine High School murders. It is informativeand thought-provoking but manages also to be entertaining. The film opens 10/25 at the Tower. Why is a film being talked about in this space? Well, gun violence is a health care issue, as Physicians for Social Responsibility will tell you. 30,000 U.S. persons are killed every year with guns, making it a serious public health problem. |
 |
|
|
Michael Moore addressing the Tower Theater audience for his film. When asked how he felt about confronting the various "authority figures" he confronts in his documentaries, Moore said "I hate it-- my stomach is always tied up in knots." But he does it. A small historical but possibly cosmic note: The last time Michael Moore came to Sacto. with a film ("The Big One"), his appearance was followed the next day by Local 250 union organizers appearing at houses all over Sacramento. |
 |
|
| After the showing of his film, Moore answered audience questions. One audience member suggested that the regular ingestion of Omega 3's (such as are found in flax seed) could prevent outbreaks of violence. Despite being exhausted by the cross-country tour with his film, all questions were dealt with patiently. |
 |
|
|
The media came under attack for sensationalizing violence ("if it bleeds, it leads" is a media maxim). A cameraman in the audience from Channel 10 advised that not all media were of the same stripe in this regard, and spoke of efforts by himself and others to feature alternative types of news. On the question of mixing art (film) and politics, Moore suggested that if artists want people to pay attention to their politics, they should make better art. Moore's current film broke the attendance record for documentaries in the first week of its appearance in major cities. The last record holder was a previous Moore documentary "Roger and Me". |