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Moore: GM Banned Me From Premiere

WDIV

Screening Goes On Without Moore Present

DETROIT -- Controversial Michigan filmmaker Michael Moore was escorted out of the General Motors headquarters building in Detroit 20 years ago while filming "Roger and Me." And Sunday, when Moore once again brought a film to the Renaissance Center, where GM is headquartered and owns, compromises had to be made.

In "Roger and Me," Moore was trying to get some one-on-one time with then GM CEO Roger Smith, but Moore was asked to leave the property when cameras followed him in.

Moore rented out four movie theaters inside the Renaissance Center to screen his new film, "Capitalism -- A Love Story."

The film blames the economic crisis on President Reagan-era deregulation and greedy business executives who Moore said he believes undermined free enterprise by pushing for policies that benefited the richest 1 percent while hurting the lower and middle classes.

But Moore said when the leaders of the auto company realized it was his film, they told him he wouldn't be allowed in.

"They have kicked us out, after we rented the four theaters over there. General Motors said that I could not be on the premises doing any interviews or press," he said.

Both sides made a compromise that Moore would be allowed to still hold his screening if he didn't attend, no cameras were let in and no crews were present.

"I legally rented the four theaters to have my Detroit premiere. And, yet, somehow, they're able to ban me from my own premiere here," Moore said.

Moore said he talks about GM in his new film, but only because he has ideas on how to help the company rebuild.

"I would get over it, If I was them (GM). Twenty years ago I tried to warn them, tried to warn the rest of the country, really, about what was going to happen to GM and cities like Flint," Moore said. "Then it happened, and it's like, well, OK. I didn't want it to happen and I still have some decent ideas on how to restructure some things to have a transportation company for the 21st century."

Calls to GM were not immediately returned.

Local United Auto Worker union members, city leaders and Detroit Police Chief Warren Evans attended the screening.

Evans is also featured in Moore's new film with his efforts to wage a war on predatory lenders and help those facing foreclosure in Detroit.