Film Studies
The movie, Farenheit 9/11, directed by Michael Moore is a documentary which tries to critically view America’s ‘War on Terror’ when George W. Bush was the president. The movie was released in the year 2011 and mainly investigates the aftermath and the reasons for this terrorist attack.
The movie targets the then U.S. President, George W. Bush and the Iraq war. The movie has investigated the manner in which the lives of ordinary American citizens have been impacted as a result of the Iraq war. It investigates the class inequities which always puts pressure to the lower class to enlist to the army. On the other hand, the upper class strata, especially the members of the Congress cannot even think of enlisting their children to the armed forces. The film raises one pertinent question – why is it that the poor is always made to sacrifice and for how long will this trend continue?
Film facts and impacts
One of the most daunting facts presented in this movie is that of class inequality. Out of the total of 535 congressmen in the Bush administration, only one had an enlisted daughter or son in the army to serve for the Iraq war. Moore starts this investigation from his hometown Flint, in Michigan where he speaks to families who have enlisted their sons and daughters to the military. He also presents the utter economic desperation that pushed them to enlist in the army. The film further goes on to show the manner in which the army recruits personnel from low income and economically hit neighbourhoods. The story of Lila Lipscomb is extremely touching. The manner in which she laments her son’s loss is a portrayal of the suggestion by the director, Moore, that the Iraq war was based on lies depicting footage of prisoners being abused by U.S. soldiers and the heightening atrocities, especially the September 9/11 terrorist attacks, which has taken place in the U.S. and Iraq. The viewer is full of emotion by realizing that the Iraq was has disrupted or even destroyed millions of families in the U.S. At the same time the daunting facts presented by the film, especially about the lack of focus displayed by President Bush, be it the number of holidays he took, or the lacklustre attitude displayed even in the days after the terrorist attacks are appalling makes the viewer question as to why the ordinary Americans had to pay such a heavy price (Berger).
The film is inspired by hope and aims to change the history of the globe. It tries to portray the aftermaths of the Iraq war and the manner in which millions have suffered. It reminds one that such wars make the poor people suffer and depicts the of class inequality that still forms an integral part of the society.
Conclusion
The film Farenheit 9/11 is extremely persuasive and compelling. It presents the then President, George W. Bush to be an unauthentic, inarticulate and extremely simple when making speeches. Despite this, Bush still remains as one of the most critical idols in the political history of America. He is effective and humorous and the film especially is a commentary on the determined repetition of stubbornness, outrage and incredulity that took place during the Bush administration with reference to handling the Iraq war and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Works cited:
Berger, John. The beginning of history: Farenheit 9/11 has touched millions of viewers across the world. But could it actually change the course of civilisation?. The Guardian, 24 Aug. 2004. Web. 23 Nov. 2013. < http://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/aug/24/uselections2004.usa>
