9-23-04

Filmmaker Michael Moore to speak at Iowa State Oct. 17

AMES, Iowa -- Academy Award winner and activist Michael Moore will appear at Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State University, on Sunday, Oct. 17, as part of a nationwide tour.

His appearance in Ames is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m.

In "An Evening with Michael Moore," the documentarian will discuss current events, show film clips, answer audience questions and sign copies of his books. The performance is expected to be part political commentary, part stand-up comedy.

Moore's controversial documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" won the Cannes International Film Festival's highest honor, and is the first documentary to gross more than $100 million. It criticizes the Bush Administration's actions following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the decision to go to war in Iraq. Despite commercial and artistic acclaim, the film also has been strongly criticized because of its polarizing content.

Moore's 2002 film, "Bowling for Columbine," won the Oscar for Best Documentary, and held the previous record for highest-grossing documentary. His first film, "Roger and Me," was a political satire of General Motors' plan to shut down a plant in Flint, Mich. Moore is the author of "Stupid White Men ... and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation" and "Dude, Where's My Country."

His lecture is part of the Institute on National Affairs series on politics and humor in America, and is cosponsored by the Committee on Lectures, funded by the Government of the Student Body. Each year, the Institute on National Affairs plans a series of lectures and events with a variety of perspectives on a topic of national interest.

In addition to Moore's visit, ISU will host a number of other political events prior to the Nov. 2 election, including:

• "A Vice Presidential Candidate Debate Watch" Tuesday, Oct. 5, 7:45 p.m. - Great Hall, Memorial Union. Sen. John Edwards and Vice President Dick Cheney will appear in a televised debate broadcast live from the campus of Case Western Reserve University. Dianne Bystrom, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State, will provide opening comments and lead a discussion following the debate. Student organizations will host tables providing election and campaign information and voter registration materials.
• "The Role of Intelligence Gathering in a Democracy" Thursday, Oct. 14, 8 p.m. - Sun Room, Memorial Union Jim Olson, senior lecturer and CIA Officer in Residence at the Bush School of Government and Public Service in College Station, Texas, will speak at ISU. Olson joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1969 and served for 31 years, mostly overseas in clandestine operations. He also served as chief of counterintelligence at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. Olson received his law degree from The University of Iowa in 1969.

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Moore's documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11," won the Cannes International Film Festival's highest honor.