Michael Moore made "Capitalism: A Love Story" in Traverse City and now he’s saying thank you. How? By showing his movie for free. Moore explains that the people of Northern Michigan have made "Capitalism" the third largest-grossing movie ever shown at Traverse City’s State Theater, the theater Moore renovated on Front Street. He wants to say "thank you" to Northern Michigan by opening the doors of The State Theater and showing "Capitalism" for free. Absolutely free. For one week.
Moore sent out a letter to supporters expressing his gratitude and encouraging everyone to come. Here’s the letter:
Friends,
Well, it’s been a heckuva run for the "movie made on Front Street" and now playing at the State Theatre. Over 7,000 people have come to see it in these three weeks, and it is now our third largest-grossing movie ever since we opened the new State in 2007 ("Juno" and "Slumdog Millionaire" are #1 and #2).
This has brought some much-needed revenue into the State after a slow September. So I’d personally like to say thanks to the people of the area for supporting this movie by making the final week of "Capitalism: A Love Story" free of charge to anyone who wants to see it. In other words, I’ll "buy" your ticket and make a donation to the State so that the theater has revenue for the week.
So, if you haven’t seen it yet, come on down, the show’s on me! Or if you’ve already seen it but want to see it again (and bring some friends), we’ll be happy to see you back!
But mostly I want to open up the State to those of you — or people you know — who are perhaps having a harder time making ends meet these days, to give you a chance to get out of the house and have a night at the movies! A lot of people these days have had to cut things like the movies out of their budgets. So, for one week, no one has to worry about that. The doors of the State will be open to anyone and everyone! All are welcome and encouraged to attend a film I think they and you will like.
Also, as a bonus, I’m offering daily screenings (except Saturday) of the movie I made before "Capitalism," the Oscar-nominated "Sicko." It is a very timely film, considering the debate taking place regarding universal health care. If you want to see things about this issue that you simply won’t see on the evening news, please come see "Sicko." I truly believe it will rattle your bones!
There will be a $5 donation to see "Sicko," and 100% of the donations will go to the free or sliding scale medical clinics that serve the poor and working poor of Antrim County. There will also be a special 25 cent morning matinee of "Sicko" next Thursday at 10:30 am.
This special 10:30 am Thursday "Sicko" 25 cent matinee is in addition to our regular 25 cent Wednesday 11 am morning matinee, which will be the last in October’s "Great Who Dun Its" series, Robert Altman’s Gosford Park. And on Monday at 6 pm we’re hosting a Silent Movie Night with live accompaniment by Central High School orchestra students. Check out the schedule below.
In case there are a couple of you who might be upset because you have already paid to see "Capitalism: A Love Story" — and now others will get in to see it for free — please understand that we’re trying to do something nice for those who may be a bit worse off than some of us. And we’re always trying to find affordable ways to encourage others to try the State Theatre for the first time. With this film, we’re in a position to do these things because the studio has done very well with the film here. So all are welcome this coming week to see it for free. Consider it a celebration of the first Hollywood studio film made entirely here in TC! And let’s not make it the last!
Thanks again, everyone, for letting me share my work with you. This particular movie is a very personal one — it has lots of good humor, some much-needed investigative reporting about "The Crash," and a whole lot of moments that will twist your gut and spin your head. Free kleenex, as always at the State, will be available.
The free shows start this Friday.
With gratitude,Michael Moore
P.S. This is a movie teens and even pre-teens can and should see, in spite of the misguided ratings system. No one is killed, everyone keeps their clothes on. It was rated R because a man being wrongly evicted from his home calls the bank a name. Seriously, cursing Citibank got us an R! Go figure.
State Theatre Schedule This Week
Friday, October 23
Capitalism: A Love Story (Rated R) 1, 3:30, 6 pm – FREESicko (Rated PG-13) 8:30 pm – $5 Donation
Saturday, October 24
Madeline (Rated PG) 10 am – 25 cents
Aida (Met Opera) 1 pm
Capitalism: A Love Story (Rated R) 6, 8:30 pm – FREE
Sunday, October 25
Sicko (Rated PG-13) 1, 6 pm – $5 Donation
Capitalism: A Love Story (Rated R) 3:30, 8:30 pm – FREE
Monday, October 26
Capitalism: A Love Story (Rated R) 1, 9:00 pm – FREE
Sicko (Rated PG-13) 3:30 pm – $5 Donation
CHS Orchestra Silent Movie Night (Not Rated) 7 pm – By Donation
Tuesday, October 27
Capitalism: A Love Story (Rated R) 1, 3:30, 8:30 pm – FREE
Sicko (Rated PG-13) 6 pm – $5 Donation
Wednesday, October 28
Gosford Park (Rated R) 11 am – 25 cents
Capitalism: A Love Story (Rated R) 2, 4:30, 9:30 pm – FREE
Sicko (Rated PG-13) 7 pm – $5 Donation
Thursday, October 29
Sicko (Rated PG-13) 10:30 am – 25 centsCapitalism: A Love Story (Rated R) 1, 3:30, 6, 8:30 pm – FREE