Moore’s new film draws
big isle crowdTicket sales are brisk as the Bush-bashing
"Fahrenheit 9/11" makes its debut
The satirical documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" opened to large and mostly sympathetic crowds in Hawaii yesterday, with audience members cheering filmmaker Michael Moore's pointed jabs at the Bush administration and its war on terror.
"It was unbelievable," said Charles Sasaki, 34, of Kaimuki. "I feel cheated. I didn't even realize how far everything went -- the cover-ups, the connections, everything. My heart is still beating fast."
Moore's film lambastes President Bush for his family's alleged connections to the bin Laden family, his actions before and after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and for the war in Iraq.
A manager at Ward 16 Theatres in Kakaako said ticket sales were brisk.
Many audience members who attended an early-evening showing said the movie had to be seen to be believed.
"I was surprised at how powerful the whole movie was," said Honolulu resident Troy Ponthieux. "I hope it causes a frenzy so everyone goes to see what it's about, even Bush supporters."
Ponthieux, 26, said he has never voted, but after watching "Fahrenheit 9/11," he is going to register to vote in this year's presidential election.
Although the movie has been derided as political propaganda by many Bush supporters, a few apparently wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
Twenty-year-old Rochelle Dionne said curiosity brought her to watch it, despite her Republican leanings.
"It brought up a lot of circumstantial issues, but it didn't show the other side of the story," Dionne said. "It made me question some things, but it's not the whole story."
Dionne said the movie did not change her opinion of Bush.
Protests reportedly sprouted up around the nation to the opening of the film, but none were reported at Hawaii theaters.
Moore's movie had some audience members in tears as they watched a soldier's mother read aloud the last letter of her dead son, the decaying body of a child in Baghdad or the reactions of New Yorkers when the planes crashed into the World Trade Towers.
"It moved me to tears, and I was crying through some of the scenes," said Patrick Malone, 21.
But the audience laughed at Moore's commentary and other scenes, and some people gave the movie a standing ovation.
The Hawaii Democratic Party is planning to reserve a theater in Ward Centre to show "Fahrenheit 9/11" as a group tomorrow morning. Democratic Chairman Brickwood Galuteria sees the movie as an opportunity for more people to join the Democratic Party.
"It's the hottest movie for us in America," he said. "It's a big pep rally for the Democratic Party nationally."
Brennon Morioka, chairman of the Hawaii Republican Party, said he does not plan on seeing the movie because he does not want to support Moore.
"It seems to me they're (Democrats) all about what they hate and not what they're standing for," he said. "I think this is going to reinforce amongst the Republicans that we're trying to get the plan we have for Hawaii instead of continuing criticism without offering a plan."