The documentary goes to Hollywood: Michael Moore´s moveis and the passion for ´\'real\'

Author(s)

Lilian Victorino

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2014-04-04

Examining board members

Paulo Roberto Arruda de Menezes; Marina Soler Jorge; Ana Lucia de Freitas Teixeira; Celia Aparecida Ferreira Tolentino; Anderson Ricardo Trevisan

• Advisor: Paulo Roberto Arruda de Menezes

Abstract

My dissertation presents a sociological analysis of five Michael Moores films: Roger & Me (1989), The Big One (1997), Bowling for Columbine (2002), Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004), and Capitalism: a love story (2009). The main objective of this research is to investigate the particularity of Moores films, as he is internationally recognized as the most watched documentary director in history. Through the visual construction of each film, I analyze in detail the film themes, group formation, social values, conflicts, Moores proposed solutions, and the various symbolic constructions suggested to the viewer. I argue that his movies provide a social construction of the real, which can be accepted and perceived by the audience as an accurate description of reality. The task of this dissertation is to deconstruct and mediate the discourse of his movies through a sociological analysis. I analyse the films suggested stories and the social relations presented to viewers that have led to the popularity of his body of work (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/10486-0 - The documentary goes to Hollywood: the passion for "real" and the films of Michael Moore.
• Grantee: Lilian Victorino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate