Reno moviegoers line up for political film
Anticipation of seeing “Fahrenheit 9/11” was so great in Reno on Friday that tickets at the Century Theatres Riverside 12 downtown sold out for at least four shows.
Donica Mensing had hoped to bring her children, Hannah, 17, and Alex, 15, to the 7:30 p.m. showing, but it was sold out by 6 p.m.
“Generally I don’t let my kids see R-rated movies,” the Reno resident said.
“Fahrenheit 9/11” opened in 868 theaters nationwide Friday. The 110-minute film has graphic scenes of war, but “there are a lot of PG-13 movies with tasteless gratuitous violence,” Mensing said.
Alex Mensing had wanted to see the film after hearing and reading about the controversy in the news.
“This would really show somebody’s opinion like mine what (President) Bush is doing wrong,” Alex said.
Reno resident Kathy Gerard said the film has inspired her to become more politically active.
“It was very disturbing and tragic,” Gerard said.
“It’s sadness our country is involved with something so horrible,” she said.
She did not vote in the 2000 election but has been inspired by the film to vote for U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in the Nov. 2 presidential election.
The film has been described as sad, funny at times and touching by fans.
Chesa Keane, also a Reno resident, said “my heart feels heavy,” after seeing the film.
“This is a turning point for anyone on the fence. It is a decision-maker to the Kerry camp,” Keane said. “They (some conservative Republicans) can call it propaganda, but they can’t deny the truth.”
Verdi resident Mary Pat Downing said every seat at the 2:15 p.m. showing was filled.
She plans to bring her sister to see the film next week.
“It’s really hard to watch,” Downing said.
She noticed people crying in the audience when “Fahrenheit 9/11” depicted images of Iraqi children seriously wounded during the war.
“I’m ashamed that my country is involved in this horrible war,” Downing said.
The documentary depicts Bush as lazy and oblivious to warnings in the summer of 2001 that al-Qaida was poised to attack, according to an Associated Press story.
MSNBC said critics have questioned parts of “Fahrenheit 9/11” linking Bush family members and business associates with the Saudi Arabian elite, including Osama bin Laden’s extended family.
But Bill Brainard, 69, president of the Reno/Sparks Republican Men’s Club, called the film propaganda.
“It wouldn’t be entertaining for me because it’s just a pack of lies,” said Brainard, who doesn’t intend to see the film.
“People who are going to see the movie are being manipulated,” he added.
Neil Hirshman, a Reno resident, walking near the theater, won’t see the film either.
“He’s prejudiced,” said Hirshman of director Michael Moore. “I don’t know why the Democrats follow him.”
“Fahrenheit 9/11” seemed to be a popular pick for movie fans as they lined from the ticket admission area to the door at the Riverside.
An MSNBC report said online ticket service Fandago.com reported the movie was making up 48 percent of advance-ticket sales for the weekend compared with the current No. 1 box office movie “DodgeBall.”
Reno resident Rick Michaelson and his wife, Natalie, bought their “Fahrenheit 9/11” tickets online.
“I was sure it was going to be sold out,” said Rick Michaelson, who came to pick up his tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show at 6 p.m.
“We don’t know if the show is good or not, but we’re going to see it anyway,” said Natalie Michaleson, who considers herself an independent voter. “I’m a lot more interested in politics now than I’ve ever been. There’s a lot more at stake now. I’m tired of our president.”
Outside the Riverside, members of the Reno chapter of moveonpac.org hoped the film would inspire people to vote come November. They passed out leaflets for a national online town meeting with Moore at 7 p.m. Monday at Truckee Meadows Community College and registered voters.
Brainard called it political move.
“First of all, people gullible enough to believe the movie would be gullible to join the anybody-but-Bush-movement,” he said. “I think they’ve selected their target audience of people who really don’t know what’s going on.”
But moveonpac.org volunteer Katy Chandler said it’s an opportunity to get more Americans to vote.
“…We’re using this wonderful opportunity for people that have seen the movie,” Chandler said. “They see something new and take that anger and do something about it.”
Although she was without tickets, Mensing plans to take her teens to see the film today. She hopes that “Fahrenheit 9/11” will have an impact on them.
“I want my kids to be politically active, and there’s not enough political venues for kids,” Mensing said.
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