Michael Moore: 'I think most Americans don’t think snipers are heroes'
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Version 0 of 1. The left wing film-maker Michael Moore has denied criticising controversial Clint Eastwood blockbuster American Sniper, following a tweet in which he labelled snipers “cowards” and said his uncle had been killed by one in the second world war. Related: The real American Sniper was a hate-filled killer. Why are simplistic patriots treating him as a hero? | Lindy West Moore took to Facebook to clarify his position after reports suggested he was explicitly attacking Eastwood’s movie, which smashed records with a gargantuan $105m in North America over the four-day Martin Luther King Jr weekend.Moore had tweeted: “My uncle killed by sniper in WW2. We were taught snipers were cowards. Will shoot u in the back. Snipers aren’t heroes. And invaders r worse.” Related: Is American Sniper historically accurate? However, yesterday he confirmed his view of snipers as “cowards” who “don’t believe in a fair fight” but said he had not mentioned American Sniper in his tweet. “So here’s what I think about American Sniper. Awesome performance from Bradley Cooper. One of the best of the year,” wrote Moore. “Great editing. Costumes, hair, makeup superb!” The film-maker nevertheless suggested he had mixed views of the movie, which stars Bradley Cooper as real-life US Navy Seal and sniper Chris Kyle, known for 160 confirmed kills in Iraq. “Too bad Clint gets Vietnam and Iraq confused in his storytelling,” wrote Moore. “And that he has his characters calling Iraqis ‘savages’ throughout the film. “But there is also anti-war sentiment expressed in the movie. And there’s a touching ending as the main character is remembered after being gunned down by a fellow American vet with PTSD who was given a gun at a gun range back home in Texas – and then used it to kill the man who called himself the ‘America Sniper’.” He added: “Most of us were taught the story of Jesse James and that the scoundrel wasn’t James (who was a criminal who killed people) but rather the sniper who shot him in the back. I think most Americans don’t think snipers are heroes. Hopefully not on this weekend when we remember that man in Memphis, Tennessee, who was killed by a sniper’s bullet.” Kyle, who was shot dead in February 2013, has been criticised as a soldier who reportedly described killing as “fun”, referred to his victims as “damn savages” and bragged about murdering looters during Hurricane Katrina, the latter claim remaining unsubstantiated. However, Eastwood’s film has resonated with the American public, netting the highest opening weekend for a drama ever. The US comic and actor Seth Rogen said on Twitter that American Sniper reminded him of the Nazi propaganda movie seen in the final part of Quentin Tarantino’s second world war romp Inglourious Basterds, but later also denied explicit criticism of Eastwood’s film. “I just said something ‘kinda reminded’ me of something else,” he wrote. “I actually liked American Sniper. It just reminded me of the Tarantino scene... But if you were having a slow news day, you’re welcome for me giving you the opportunity to blow something completely out of proportion.” Sarah Palin has meanwhile added her two cents, writing on Facebook: “Hollywood leftists: while caressing shiny plastic trophies you exchange among one another while spitting on the graves of freedom fighters who allow you to do what you do, just realize the rest of America knows you’re not fit to shine Chris Kyle’s combat boots... May the epic American Sniper bring nothing but blessings to Taya and the children of this true American hero.” |