MichaelMoore.com

Fahrenheit 9/11 Opens Across America!

Over the past few days we have been collecting peoples' stories from around the country with the approach of Fahrenheit 9/11's opening day. The activities and ideas have ranged from street theater to buying up groups of tickets and giving them, for free, to people who are voting age but do not vote. We thought we'd share just a few of the festivities happening around the country, based on the emails you have sent us.

CALIFORNIA:
After last night's 12:01 AM first showing in Hollywood, groups gathered and discussed the film until 3:00 AM, pledging among other things to register to vote and then register others.

In Santa Cruz, California Peace Action will spend the knocking on doors around town, encouraging people to become more involved in our political system and letting them know how to contact their representatives. After that, they're heading to Fahrenheit.

If all your favorite characters from the FOX hit series "The O.C." were real people and if they went to the movies tonight, they would encounter groups at several theaters in Orange County registering people to vote.

In San Bernardino, an architecture firm has given its employees the afternoon off and tickets to see the movie.

At least 30 members of Burbank Neighbors for Peace and Justice are gathering to head to the movie and will be getting together afterwards to discuss it.

A coalition of groups will join forces at the Pacific ArcLight Cinema in LA. They are planning to show up in costume--which sounds fun to us, so, if you're in the area, swing by and say hello to Golfin' George W., Scary Saddam, Chilling Dick Cheney, and Rambunctious Rummy.

In Berkeley a simple email query to ten friends ballooned into a group of 80 people gathering for drinks and conversation and then heading to film.

A group of 200 are apparently planning to attend a showing of the film on Friday night all dressed in blue and carpooling to theater together with banners in their windows, just to make sure everyone on the road knows where they're headed.

Irvine, CA- In the heart of conservative Orange County, a Regal Cinema theater was initially not even going to show the film, but under pressure from the community is now offering 12 showings a day. The group that is holding a premier party says that the "Orange Curtain" will finally open forever this Friday. They are expecting 600-800 people for the private premiere party at a café on the U. of Cal Irvine campus.

Members of Sacremento Democracy will be in front of the Tower Theater registering voters, and they are looking for volunteers to help out.

The Santa Barbara Progressive Coalition is out front of the theater there registering new voters.

CONNECTICUT:
More than 600 members of Democracy for America in the New Haven area have been invited to the theater.

FLORIDA:
In Tampa, four adults are planning to take eight teenagers--14 and 15 year olds--into the "R" rated film, followed by a pizza-fueled discussion of the issues in the movie.

In Orlando--yes, the one suffering from rodent infestation--the League of Conservation Voters bought out a theater and are planning to invite their friends and family. The following day they'll be hitting the town, canvassing the streets, working to say goodbye to George W. Bush.

ILLINOIS:
At least 63 members of the Rockford Unitarian Universalist Church are getting together for an opening night party.

KANSAS:
Two dozen people are planning to gather this evening at a "Souper Salad" for dinner before heading into Kansas City to catch the film.

KENTUCKY:
Lexington, KY- "Kentucky Values Coalition". They are using the film as a launch for their group. They are holding a reception prior to the film (their first fundraiser), with the expected attendance of a few state senators in the hopes of establishing a progressive presence in a "Red" state.

MASSACHUSETTS:
A Bush-supporting professor in Boston is taking his Critical Thinking class to see the film early next week so that they can apply what they have learned in class and have a hearty discussion.

If you also live in Boston, you might be lucky enough to have received this invitation:

Fahrenheit 9/11: A Republican Style Fundraiser

Come celebrate the opening of Michael Moore's new movie which chronicles the evil doings of our current presidential administration. You will arrive at 7:00 PM in your best attire and be surrounded by exclusive people like yourself. Next, you will be presented with a choice selection of "fine" wines and hor'dourves. After dinner, the group will engage in a Iowa style caucus to determine what organization will receive the proceeds from the event. Finally, you will be whisked a way to Harvard Square to view the 10:30 PM show of Fahrenheit 9/11.

MICHIGAN:
Demand in Ann Arbor is so strong that the Michigan Theater put on a special midnight screening last night and has already added three additional screenings for today. Also, on July 4th, they'll be sponsoring a benefit showing of the film for Ann Arbor Area Committee for Peace. That event will feature a Q&A session with Lila Lipscomb.

MISSOURI:
Fahrenheit 9/11 opens today in Cape Giradeau, the birthplace of Rush Limbaugh!

In the theater parking lot in Columbia, one group is planning a tailgate party. You might want to take a grill out there and join them.

St. Louis, MO- "Instead Of War". They are holding a benefit screening for the Peace Economy Project, flyering and registering voters.

NEBRASKA:
A large group from an Omaha Methodist Church are heading to the film together and will follow it with dinner, coffee, and discussion.

NEW YORK:
The Syracuse Peace Council is holding a benefit screening on Sunday, with proceeds benefiting the work of the Peace Council. Tickets will be on sale at the Wescott Cinema.

NORTH CAROLINA:
An agriculture study group in Durham is planning a whole evening around the film, beginning with an open invitation pot luck dinner, and ending with a post-movie discussion.

OHIO:
The Brady Lake Imbibers of Single Malt Scotch (B.L.I.S.S), a collection of "working stiffs and musicians" in Brady Lake, OH are heading to the film together before their weekly gathering.

In Dayton the film's first day sold out in a matter of hours.

TENNESSEE:
The Mid South Peace and Justice Center in Memphis is organizing a voter registration drive outside of the Memphis theater.

TEXAS:
How'd the film go over in the heart of Bush country? One viewer writes in:
Mr. Moore:
I'm sorry I have no pictures for you, but I felt it necessary to deliver some good news. I live in Collin County, Texas, which is the Plano/North Dallas area. Collin County was once dubbed "possibly the most Republican county in the country" by The Dallas Morning News. This morning I attended the first screening of Fahrenheit at the Angelika Theatre in Plano and although I arrived early, the showing was almost sold out. The movie truly was a roller coaster of emotions moving so quickly on several occasions from humorous Mr. Bush moments, to reactions of people about 9/11 or images of injured Iraqis, and American soldiers. By the end of the movie you received a standing ovation for your film.

Also, I wanted to thank you for making your film not only for the message and entertainment, but for restoring my hope in the future of this nation. Prior to this movie, although I would like to see a Democrat in the White House in January, I felt it was nothing more than a lovely dream. Now, judging by the reaction your film received in Bush Country, Texas, I can only imagine what it did in states not quite as heavily leaning to the Right. Fahrenheit 9/11 restored my faith in the possibility of avoiding another four years of "Dubya"!
Signed, D.C.

UTAH:
A downtown theater in Salt Lake City (a Red state!) is already sold out through Monday.

VIRGINIA:
A group called Campaign 101 will be out in force distributing flyers and promoting activism for high school students and getting youth more involved in the grassroots political process. Check out their site if you would like to lend them a hand.

WASHINGTON:
Mothers Against Bush will be at the theaters in Seattle handing out buttons and signing people up for future actions.

Christine in Seattle writes: "About 20 of my friends and co-workers in Seattle bought advanced tickets for the show at the Loews Meridian today. Afterwards, everyone is coming to my house to enjoy food and drinks from countries not supporting the American war in Iraq. Specifically, I'm serving French cheeses, wine, and bread, German beer and pretzels, and a big plate of hummus. I do have an American apple pie, but I put a series of toy soldiers and miniature military airplanes coming out of the pie to attack the hummus."

AND FINALLY, AN EMAIL FROM CANADA:

I just wanted to drop a line and let you know that 3 buddies and I have already purchased tickets for the show here in London, Ontario. It just so happens that I'm getting married on Saturday the 26th. The three friends that are going to the movie with me are my best man, and my two grooms men... We have the rehearsal tonight (25th)at 7:30pm. That gives us barely enough time to rehearse, eat, greet and head for the theatre. Although it's going to make for a somewhat hectic wedding eve, we wouldn't miss opening night of 9/11 for the world.
B. MacKenzie

Congratulations to you and your soon-to-be wife, B!