thoughts on Where to Invade Next

I wasn't overly joyed by the end of this film. I watched it and I felt like most of the information which Moore imparts I already knew. Perhaps it's because I majored in European History and follow Europe more than I do the US. Still a lot of his points are shallow and merely made to drum up a dislike of America. The film juxtaposes images of people in Norway with images of police brutality in US prisons. It makes a point, but there is no nuance. It is completely one sided. Yet, that is how Moore operates. He is a partisan. He takes a side and argues for it without referencing opposing arguments which might prove him wrong.

Moore seems to be drumming up support for Bernie Sanders. He points out how much Europeans have, while Americans seem to have it so bad. He fails to mention all the taxes that Europeans pay for the benefits he describes. When he show an Italian couple living the "dolce vida" in Italy, he doesn't mention the Italy has high unemployment, and anemic economy and fears being taken over by the Chinese. Things aren't so rosy in Europe as Moore leads us to believe. I really didn't like the images of the prison violence as they were presented. As violent and shocking as the appear it only perputuates a stereotype of African-Americans as prisoners and felons. It doesn't show any of the accomplishments of African- Americans and how they are accepted and work in American society as equals in many ways. Yet I would caution my own statement with evidence which shows the American prison system as overwhelming African- American and the stories about police violence which is directed disproportionately at young, black men. If Moore wanted to use the images from police brutality, why not make a film about just that? Why not make a film which is sorely in need? Instead he goes of to Europe and shows alternatives which are probably not feasible for a country like the US which is incredibly more multi-cultureal than a place like Iceland or Norway.

Still it is clear the America needs reforms in many areas. And Moore is out there, seemingly alone, carrying the flag, sparking debate and hopefully causing change for the better.