MarkVanKamp

I did not enjoy Michael Moore's 9-11 movie because it was perhaps a bit too much of one- sidedness. I did enjoy Bowling for Columbine so I did not know what to expect from watching his latest movie, Sicko. It was a fascinating examination of the American health system which offers some of the best care to those who have the financial backing to pay for it and offers practically nothing for those who cannot. The film looks at the health care industry from a variety of angles which is very helpful and it seems the health care industry is primarily focused on profits and not adequate health care for Americans. It is very sad. In Europe where I live we have excellent health care and while we pay for it through our taxes there is also more of a focus on, I think, personal health and wellness than there is in the United States (if those reports about obesity rates are true). One can imagine what the US health care system might be like in another 50 years. Perhaps Michael Moore will make a follow-up documentary then to see if its worse or better.

This film won the Best Short Film Award at this year's IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival) in Amsterdam and it certainly was profound and challenging, making you think about things in our world. The film "Choices" looks at climate change in our world and using a unique and special combination of images, information and music, forces the audience to look at this issue in a new light. It was shown before some films during the festival that shared its themes. While a very simple film, it was, however, quite powerful to see as a viewer and my three friends and I were quite moved at the end of it. It is hard to have a film make you feel inspired, but this film did that for us. Hopefully it will be shown again here in the Netherlands.