Michael Moore Offering Free 'Capitalism' Screenings Tonight To Jobless, Homeless

Posted Oct 1st 2009 2:10PM by Jen Yamato
Filed under: Documentary, New Releases, Celebrities and Controversy, Exhibition, Newsstand, Movie Marketing, Politics, Michael Moore

Following a solid opening in only four theaters last week, Michael Moore's latest documentary, Capitalism: A Love Story, is going nationwide tomorrow. And in true Michael Moore fashion, he wants to share it not only with ticket buyers, but with the people for whom he made the film: the jobless and homeless of America. So for Thursday night only, theaters in ten cities will give free tickets to anyone who shows up, no questions asked. Spread the word.

"To kick off the national release of Capitalism: A Love Story, I've asked the studio to offer a number of screenings in the nation's hardest hit cities -- the ones with the highest unemployment rates and highest foreclosure rates -- where those who've lost their jobs or who are in foreclosure (or have already been evicted) may attend my film free of charge," Moore said in a statement. "They've agreed, and so tonight (Thursday), the night before our opening day, ten cities will grant you free admission if you have fallen on hard times."

Publicity stunt or no, Moore's heart seems to be in the right place. He's not just bringing the free screening to major metropolitan areas, but places like Elkhart, Indiana, a manufacturing city that had an unemployment rate of 18 percent just last spring.

If you live in one of these cities and have fallen victim to economic woes, lost your job, struggle with foreclosures, or know anyone who has, check out the list of participating theaters and be Michael Moore's guest tonight:

Las Vegas, Nevada
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:00 p.m.
Cinemark Orleans
4600 W Tropicana Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89103

Phoenix, Arizona
Thursday, Oct.1st, 7:00 p.m.
Harkins Christown
1620 W Monte Bello
Phoenix, AZ 85015

Fresno, California
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Edwards Stadium
250 Paseo Del Centro
Fresno, CA 93720

Saginaw, Michigan
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:00 p.m.
Goodrich Saginaw 8 Theater
3250 Kabobel Dr.
Saginaw, MI 48604

Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Regal North Hills Stadium 14
4150 Main at North Hills St.
Raleigh, NC 27609

Tampa / St. Petersburg, Florida
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Muvico Starlight
1800 Highwood Preserve Parkway
Tampa, FL 33647

Elkhart, Indiana
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:00 p.m.
Carmike Encore Park 14
2701 Cassopolis Street
Elkhart, IN 46514

Baltimore, Maryland
Thursday, October 1st, 7:30 p.m.
The Charles Theatre
1711 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Cleveland, Ohio Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 p.m.
AMC Westwood Town Center
21653 Center Ridge Road
Rocky River, OH 44116

Peoria, Illinois
Thursday, Oct. 1st, 7:00PM
Willow Knolls 14 Theatre
4100 W Willow Knolls Drive
Peoria, IL 61615

In addition to these free screenings, the cities of Miami, Madison, San Francisco, Chicago, and Grass Valley will be hosting benefit screenings, which you can read more about in Moore's full letter.

Moore detractors might be quick to call this a publicity stunt, but what do you think? Will those affected the hardest by the economy benefit from watching Moore's latest film?

Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. All the homeless and jobless should get off their asses and find a job instead of going to a movie.

Posted at 2:42PM on Oct 1st 2009 by L1A

2. To read your sad commentary is to explain why the US is going down the drain. Enjoy!

Posted at 3:51PM on Oct 1st 2009 by Mr.R

3. I am jobless and homeless and I am out there EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK looking for a job. I have given up everything over this job crunch and I cannot even find a restaurant to sweep floors, do dishes or even pick up cigerette butts from the street.

I have never held a sign on the side of the road but when you do see a handsome early 20's guy holding that sign help him out cause it will be me!

Posted at 8:28PM on Oct 1st 2009 by Mark B

4. Some movie theatres smell bad enough with being filled with homeless people. Do you think there will be free booze as well?

In all seriousness, if Dinty Moore actually cared about the homeless and the jobless he would be giving all of the profits the film generates to charities...

You know, kind of like Bill O'Reilly (that evil capaitalist pig!)does with all of the money he made from his last book and website merchandise..

Posted at 3:05PM on Oct 1st 2009 by Ant

5. Excellent place, the internet, to publish information about something free for homeless people. I'm sure that after checking their email, they'll trot right over to see the film. Unless they download a pirate copy to view in the privacy of their cardboard box.

Posted at 6:50PM on Oct 1st 2009 by Shalekendar

6. That did occur to me. But I'm sure internet access is available to some homeless and jobless, and readers can also spread the word by mouth, no?

Posted at 8:39PM on Oct 1st 2009 by Jen Yamato

7. A recent poll of the homeless in DC revealed that roughly 65% of them have cell phones, so I'd say that it isn't that far fetched to assume that those who want to have internet access have it. Homelessness is a serious problem in this country; its just a shame that most Americans spend no time understanding what the actual issues are.

Posted at 1:05AM on Oct 2nd 2009 by Kevin

8. Sure, it's a publicity stunt. And (as much as Moore's movies) a political ploy.

But it's still a more substantial gesture than the "villains" of Moore's latest flick have made, and classier than the snide comments that are already being dumped here.

"Get off their asses and find a job" -- really?

Posted at 3:15PM on Oct 1st 2009 by Chet

9. More substantial gesture.... Really? REALLY?

I'm not going to defend the actions of AIG. They have done some truly greddy and irresponsible things. However, to say that the $10 movie ticket that Moore is giving away is more substantial than the millions of dollars AIG has given to charity is just... well, I'm not going to sling an insult.

Posted at 3:22PM on Oct 1st 2009 by Ant

10. Yes, REALLY.

Suggesting that AIG's charity is substantial in the light of all they've done isn't just absurd, it sounds like a defense of their actions.

Posted at 3:45PM on Oct 1st 2009 by Chet

11. Michael Moore is the real capitalist pig... Thank ACORN for the housing crisis that's contributed to the number of homeless people in our country. Captalism is why America is great! Giving tax dollars to corrupt socialistic entities like ACORN will be our downfall. Stop the madness - the media is filtering what you will know. Watch Fox News, it's the only true source of reality!

Posted at 4:14PM on Oct 1st 2009 by Lisa

12. this is sarcasm, right?
poe's law, i can't tell...

Posted at 3:52PM on Oct 1st 2009 by scott

13. I second Scott. Is this sarcasm? If not, I have quite a few bones to pick with you.

Posted at 6:10PM on Oct 1st 2009 by Reuben

14. clearly it is sarcasm. He called Fox News a legitimate source of news!

Posted at 7:32PM on Oct 1st 2009 by cablebfg

15. If it's not important to you when your tax dollars are being used to promote prostitution, child sexual abuse and illegal immigration then you aren't normal.

You would know nothing about anything important if it were not for Fox News.

ABC, NBC, CBS & CNN (the Obama fringe media networks) would rather you be uninformed like happy little mushrooms in the dark. Apparently, that's fine with you. ;)

Posted at 8:07PM on Oct 1st 2009 by AsilisArt

16. Michael Moore is a hero to mankind, thinking only of that which progresses our world. Therefore, any areas that lack integrity, transparency or exploit any human being will fall to the side in the thick of this movement which you could finally say is the peoples' revolution. Take arms against greed, lift hearts towards any ideology that secures life with health care, education and homes.

Thank you Mr. Moore

Respect

Posted at 10:39PM on Nov 14th 2009 by jule@insidevortex.com

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