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Manufacturing Dissent

R 2007 1h 36m Documentary List
54% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 39% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Failing to score an interview with the man himself, two filmmakers assemble a profile of documentarian Michael Moore by interviewing figures from his past.

Critics Reviews

View All (24) Critics Reviews
Ben Kenigsberg Time Out Rated: 3/5 Nov 17, 2011 Full Review Glen Ferris Empire Magazine This even-handed effort simply doesn't probe deep enough. Rated: 2/5 Oct 26, 2007 Full Review G. Allen Johnson San Francisco Chronicle A solid, well-done and seemingly balanced look at Moore's work, his celebrity, his methods and the ethical problems in his reporting. Rated: 3.5/4 Oct 12, 2007 Full Review Matthew Turner ViewLondon With a wide-ranging array of interviewees and an amusingly Moore-like approach to its subject, Manufacturing Dissent is an enjoyable documentary, whether you're pro-Moore, anti-Moore or indifferent. Rated: 3/5 Oct 5, 2007 Full Review Sam Jordison Film4 A few serious points against Moore's credibility are overshadowed by a lot of dull posturing, unconvincing argument and unpleasant interviews. It's nothing like as good as the films made by the man it maligns. Rated: 2/5 Oct 5, 2007 Full Review Tim Evans Sky Cinema The big question you have to ask yourself is: do these dishonest work practices actually undermine the message he's trying get across? The answer is probably not... because Moore is already preaching to the converted. Oct 5, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (239) audience reviews
thomas w This film was had a base premise so poor with such thin evidence of claims by the film makers, it is an embarrassment to the trade. Basically it was an anti-Michael Moore film in the style of Michael Moore. Comical at best. A waste of time but slightly amusing that some one cared so badly to make an entire film goofing on Moore in the style of Michael. Moore. Canada can do better. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Liam D It's well intended and made but it's as preachy as ironically Michael Moore himself Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/06/22 Full Review david f The filmmakers are honest about their respect for Michael Moore, and they seem to genuinely admire and appreciate Moore's contribution to the field of documentary filmmaking, but when they attempt to turn their cameras on Moore they are met with a kind of stonewalling worthy of the 1980s General Motors PR department. A number of people burned by Moore in the past provide critical voices of the filmmaker and many of his filmmaking techniques are put under the microscope in this wonderful documentary that should be watched by everyone who's ever seen and loved Roger & Me. The issue of why Moore didn't include footage of his interview with Roger Smith in his film provides astounding insight into his methods and a really deep look at what has become one of the most influential and greatest movies of all time. Also of interest is material on his upbringing in Davison, not Flint, Michigan, and information about some of the scenes and people in the film Roger & Me. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A documentary, though more of an expose, on Michael Moore's underhanded techniques in film making. The makers of this doco set out with the intention to interview Moore during the release of Fahrenheit 911. What eventuates however is a portrait of Moore as an asshole who fabricates events in his documentaries and denies interviews to these filmmakers who are only trying to mimic what he has done himself in previous films such as Roger and Me. It doesn't take long to begin to dislike Moore through his representation in this film. Regardless of opinion on his actual films he does not come across as a likable person and with plenty of testimonies to back this up you are left doubting his character and in turn his documentaries. This is of course a one sided film, Moore apparently did not want to do a sit down interview, and the snippets of footage they have in conversation with him illustrate him in a defensive and arrogant way. As they raise the point of not taking Moore's films at face value, so too we should not with this doco. It is interesting, well put together and with a great range of interview subjects the film successfully paints Moore in a negative light and makes the viewer question the power of propaganda in American media today. A good film to get the brain thinking. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Manufacturing Dissent is an interesting documentary that looks at controversial filmmaker Michael Moore. Canadian documentarian Debbie Melnyk follows Moore's 2004 Slacker Uprising tour while discussing his divisive career, and interviewing his former friends and associates. The film makes an interesting point of how Moore has a pattern of burning his bridges, and alienating or betraying his supporters. To that end, Melnyk begins sympathetic toward Moore but ends up becoming a victim of his tactics of deception and manipulation. Unfortunately, the picture quality is rather low end and there are several times that the narrative appears to lack direction. Yet despite its flaws, Manufacturing Dissent provides an intriguing perspective on Michael Moore's journey. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member Un film à la Michael Moore... Sur Michael Moore. Pas besoin de chercher très loin pour comprendre que ce documentaire soi-disant objectif n'est rien d'autre qu'une cible directement pointée sur la tête de Moore lui-même. Si les réalisateurs se disent éclairés et lucides, ils ne tardent pas à se contredire en bombardant le spectateur d'insultes anti-Moore et de témoignages qui ne tiennent pas la route. Entre autre, la première heure se laisse constituer de ''Michael Moore est un menteur!'', témoignages récoltés dans la rue par des détracteurs qui ne le connaissent pas. Toutefois, la dernière demie-heure, bien que dans la même veine, soulève tout de même des points intéressants et, enfin, fournit quelques preuves à l'appui pour appuyer son propos. Je respecte grandement le travail de Moore, même si je ne respecte pas toujours les manières qu'il utilise pour y parvenir, mais il est intéressant de voir à quel point la globalité de son oeuvre provoque des conservateurs qui n'hésitent pas à entrer dans le même jeu que lui pour tenter de le discréditer. Toutefois, c'est sans grand succès... Qu'est-ce qui est le plus populaire? Manufacturing Dissent ou Fahrenheit 9/11? Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Manufacturing Dissent

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Failing to score an interview with the man himself, two filmmakers assemble a profile of documentarian Michael Moore by interviewing figures from his past.
Director
Rick Caine, Debbie Melnyk
Producer
Debbie Melnyk, Rick Caine
Screenwriter
Debbie Melnyk, Rick Caine
Production Co
Persistence of Vision Productions
Rating
R (Some Language)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 10, 2016
Runtime
1h 36m