Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore is to release his new film via the internet for free as a gesture to fans, he said in a statement on Friday.
Moore (54), the director behind the hit documentaries Bowling for Columbine and Sicko, said his new film, Slacker Uprising, about young voters during the 2004 United States election, will be made available for download later in September.
The statement on Moore’s website said it will be the first time a major feature-length movie debuts on the internet, with no theatrical release or television airing.
Moore — who has made three of the top five highest-grossing documentaries of all time — said he is releasing the film online as a thank-you to fans as the 20th anniversary of his acclaimed film Roger & Me approaches.
”I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to have so many people come to my movies over these two decades. I decided the way to say thanks was to make one that the fans can have for free, as a show of my profound appreciation of their support,” Moore said.
The 97-minute film follows Moore as he travels across 62 cities in swing states during the 2004 presidential election.
The movie will be available for any US resident to download for three weeks from September 23 via the website SlackerUprising.com.
The statement said the download is being managed by Brave New Films and BlipTV. Neither Moore nor the film companies will make money from the film, which cost about $2-million to make.
Moore said he hopes the film will inspire young people to vote in the November 4 presidential election. ”The only return any of us are hoping for is the largest turnout of young voters ever at the polls in November,” he said. — Sapa-AFP