Michael Moore is upset that documentaries and foreign films are being crowded out of theaters, and has decided to try to do something to change that. Moore indicated that his new year’s resolution was to sit down with heads of exhibition chains and get them to devote one screen in their multiplexes to nonfiction and foreign films.

Moore has already spoken with fellow documentary directors to join him in his initiative, including a few board members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ documentary branch.  It should be noted, however, that at this time it is unclear if the AMPAS would officially be involved.

Michael Moore credits his motivation to the declining box office performance of indie films last year, many of which were taken out of theaters before getting the chance to grow by word-of-mouth.  He says that this new initiative is simply an extension of his work in promoting fellow indie filmmakers at the annual Traverse City Film Festival.


“People want to see documentaries, but there’s a disconnect between that desire and the exhibitors out there. We’re not asking for charity,” said Moore.

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