June 26th, 2004 5:41 am
The View From America: Responses to Fahrenheit 9/11
It is six in the morning and the emails are still pouring in. From every town and every state the story is the same. Massive lines, sold out shows, standing ovations. We have done our best to compile these reports from across the country, broken down by state, to share these reactions. There will be photographs from many of these same towns posted tomorrow. Despite the length of this list, it is but a small sampling of the responses you have been sending in and we cannot thank you enough for your kind words. If you are looking for something to do right now, you can always register to vote.
Star-studded, red carpet premieres are fun and all, but these emails and the events they describe--events that took place all across America yesterday--are what this is all about. People are coming together and discussing the situation we face as a country. Read through these, copy them and put them on your blogs, send them to your friends in emails. This reaction is beyond anything we could ever have expected and we thank everyone who went to see the film yesterday and everyone who will see the film in the days and weeks ahead.
ALABAMA:
Montgomery:
"We were thrilled when Rave Motion Pictures in Montgomery advertised that they would be showing it 6 times a day. My friends and I rushed to the theater to find crowds, camera crews and some disgruntled onlookers. The theater was packed, and the filmed received an uninterrupted 5-minute standing ovation at its conclusion. What a phenomenal piece of work--Michael Moore is a genius who might finally save this country from itself."--E.G.
Birmingham:
"Turnout was phenomenal. They were showing the film every hour on the hour in two different theaters, and were still selling out. Right before the movie the ushers came in and explained to everyone that the show would likely sell out and requested that everyone give up any unsaved seats. The place went absolutely nuts when they announced the show was going to sell out. After the announcement, everyone sort of got up in unison and consoldiated themselves into the center seats, leaving the edge seats open for latecomers. It was the sort of courtesy I'm not accustomed to seeing in theaters. The film closed to a standing ovation. While I'm certain it didn't last as long as the ovation at cannes, the fact remains that I've NEVER seen a movie received like that."--S.D.
Mobile:
"When I learned that Fahrenheit 9/11 would be screened in my small hometown of Mobile, AL I was surprised, but happy. I decided that I'd catch the 3:45 matinee, both because I'm broke and wanted to save some cash, but also because I thought I could beat whatever crowds there might be. My mom and I arrived at the theater about 15 minutes before the previews started, and I was flummoxed to find a nearly-full theater. Granted, it's a small theater, but it's a small town, too. There were probably around 150 people there--an amazing crowd considering that the film was being shown simultaneously on two screens in the same small multiplex. And this, of course, for a matinee on a Friday afternoon. I can't even imagine what the scene was like tonight. And once we were settled in, people kept coming, and coming, and coming. We gave up the seat between us. Then we moved further in. The people kept coming, and by the time the previews were over, only the neckache seats were free. This being south Alabama, where even the liberals are conservative, there were a lot of laughs but no cheering or clapping during the movie -- that's about par for any movie seen here. But I heard something I have NEVER heard at a movie in Mobile before, including all the "Lord of the Rings" movies -- applause. Giant, cheerful applause as the credits began to roll for a film that I was just SURE I'd have the theater to myself for."--M.T.
ARIZONA:
Phoenix:
"I’m a middle 40s woman and because the theater was FULL (afternoon matinee), I got a seat third row from the front. What was impressive were the people around me. Almost all of the first ten rows, except for one or two people like myself were about 22 or so and under! I was so glad to see the young people of Phoenix (right-wing city, USA) there, interested and concerned. Those of us in the front gave you a standing ovation! Thank you for providing an avenue to inspire younger people involved in their country and to let them know that we are all not about war!"--S.M.
Tucson:
"I organized a house party for the movie for tonight and the response was way beyond what I expected. The showing I invited people to sold out LAST NIGHT. Luckily I bought my tickets on Fandango. When I went to pick up my tickets, there was a line of 200 people waiting outside because there wasn't enough room in the theater to fit everybody. I passed out flyers to the house party and got a turnout of about 50 people. I found out that the theater sold out every showing it had today. The showing immediately after ours was finished had a huge line as well. Everyone was talking about how Bush was going to be damaged beyond repair by this film."--D.B.
CALIFORNIA:
Burlingame:
"My friends and I all viewed the film (at a matinee price) at the Burlingame Cinema in Burlingame, California in the San Fran Bay Area. All shows for the next two days are sold out already!"
Hollywood:
"We just came back from the ARCLIGHT in Hollywood and the reception was fantastic! I even got my republican father a ticket to see the movie in Orange County. Needless to say after he saw the movie he now plans to vote against the Bush. He has voted Republican since Nixon."--R.S.
Long Beach:
"I am a Letter Carrier in Huntington Beach, Calif. I RAN my route today to get to a theater to see “Fahrenheit 911.” Made it to the 4:50 p.m. Show at the Edwards 26 here in my hometown of Long Beach, Calif. BUT there were hundreds of people lined up, and the announcement was blaring that the next two shows were sold out, and that the only one left available was the 10:30 p.m. Show. A massive GROAN went out. I RAN home, and managed to get a cyber ticket to the UA Marketplace here in Long Beach for the 10:00 pm. Show...the previous two shows were sold out."--R.E.
Lafayette:
Fahrenheit sold out in advance with people lining up an hour and a half in advance to get good seats. Nearby theaters were apparantly also all sold out. "The applause during the film and afterwards warranted the 95 minute wait to get in the door. Bravo. This is the most patriotic film I have ever seen." --A.G.
Oakland:
"'Just wanted to say that we went to the showing this afternoon at the Grand Lake Theater, and it was sold out. The line stretched for blocks and, thankfully, some of the media were there to see it. It give me shivers, and it gives me hope. We do not usually choose to stand in lines, but we did for this one, and it was well worth it. The line outside the theater, just as the movie, contained people of all ages, colors, and income groups. The line was probably, sadly, lacking in Republicans, but maybe that will change. We thought about having a campaign, "Buy a Republican a ticket." Perhaps the young people are a major key - one young man told us he was buying tickets for both his parents, a Democrat and a Republican."--K.M.
Orange County:
"It seemed like an endless line of people exited the theater. Finally the staff of the theater went in to clean up. I stood by the door waiting to get in. It was around 6:00 PM and the movie was not set to start until 7:15. By 6:30, there was a huge line to get into the theater. I was amazed. This was the most crowded movie at this Orange county movie theater; for a Friday night that says a lot. When it was time to enter the theater, I made my way to the seat which would remain mine for the next 2 or so hours. Luckily I was in front of the line, so I was able to pick a good seat. A guy and his wife/girlfriend (?) sat next to me and we spent the next 20 minutes talking. During this time, every seat in the house was being filled up. Just then, the manager of the theater comes in to say that he opened up another theater. By 7:00 both theaters were full; even people in the very front where people usually don’t sit. Once the move started I was glued to the screen; I didn’t miss a single scene. The audience laughed, cried, clapped as the movie continued. When the movie finished, there was applause for about 2-3 minutes before people started leaving the theater. I have been to so many movies in my life and have never been to any film that was this crowded with so many enthusiastic viewers. I have also never heard such a loud and heartfelt applause at any movie theater." --B.D.
La Jolla:
"All shows sold out; we went to the 7 pm showing and the line was around the theater, which was the reported case for all show times that day. It's so refreshing to see so many beacons of light in this republican corner of the country."--K.K.
San Francisco:
"I found myself in my car driving home, tears uncontrollably rolling down my face. I am 40 years old, own two companies and teach part-time at a high school. I have a post graduate degree and have been a fairly educated liberal all my life. Tonight I saw nothing many things I already knew, yet how you shared your thoughts and ideas will effect me for the rest of my life. I am deeply saddened by all of this, but yet thankful for all that you have done. So many American and Iraqi lives have been given, all in the name of greed."--M.P.G.
Camarillo:
"The line for the next show when we came out went around the theatre. It was amazing. People clapped and responded to the film in unison, they cried and uttered many exclamations as the film's argument kept building. It was like each time we had just begun to digest one point, the film took the issue to even a higher level, and people were visibly CRUSHED by the end of the film. Three theatres are showing the film in our area. Shows are filled to capacity at all three."--C.H.
Fresno:
"I'm in the middle of studying for the bar exam but there was no way in hell I was missing opening day. I went to a 4pm show at one theater only to find a line wrapped about the the building and into the parking lot. Hauled ass all the way across town and made it to another showing - full house, standing ovation. Fresno, CA is LOVING this film!"--P.C.
COLORADO:
Highlands Ranch:
"Just got back from the 7:35 pm opening show for the moving in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, which is considered by many to be the Orange County of Colorado - a place where no democrat has held public office for over 20 years.... The nearly 1,000 seat movie theater was packed. People were waiting in line at 6:30 pm. Several people were trying to register voters but County Sheriff's deputies escorted people off the property. There was a standing ovation at the end and lots of clapping throughout the showing. Security staff was guarding the entrances to the movie and checking tickets upon entry. Many young people came; one person was wearing anti-Bush buttons and told to remove them by security officers."--R.L.
Boulder:
"Pleased to report that the 4 p.m. show was full. We were in the 3rd row back. The theatre is showing the film hourly, between two theatre rooms. Sold out all the way through until tomorrow. Never been in a movie where people were sniffling and outright sobbing all the way through."--P.Y.
FLORIDA:
Fort Meyers:
"You sold out FIVE performances. Ticket taker told us in his 2 years there no show had EVER sold out even ONE performance. Great film. Get together after film here - folks just standing in front of theater. I gave interview on local news (about 5 seconds worth). Said "This should be required viewing for all Americans"."--M.P.
Miami:
"We went to the 8:10 pm showing and the theatre had to set up queing lines as though we were at Disneyworld. When we emerged, the crowd waiting was of equal size, despite the fact the theatre opened up two 500-seat theatres."--A.L.
"Three generations went, my father (veteran), my 12 year old daughter, and me. It was a completely sold out theatre in Miami, FL at Aventura Mall. No parking, Long lines, that's why we ordered tickets in advanced. We were approached by a man, he was selling Bush bumper stickers. He didn't sell any...at all."--David
"The showing of the movie in Aventura Florida (June 25 5:45 PM) ended in a standing ovation. We did not want to leave our seats for a minute even though the air conditioning 'coincidentally' broke half way into the movie."--C.M.
"Hey! Fahrenheit 9/11 premiered in many local theatres near my house. I went to Shops at Sunset Place in South Miami, FL. Sadly it was only playing a few times. It was crazy! I soo wish I had brought my camara, the line went on forever. I went to the 5.20 showing which wasn't as bad. It was so awesome because it was in the huge theatre were all the big movies premiere. I think the theatre holds like 400 people. Anyway, when I left the line had begun for the 8.10 showing. That's what I really want to talk about. The line was 3 times as long as I have ever seen it, and I goto a lot of opening nights. They had actually started a second line next to the initial one because it was going out the door... It was just the most amazing spectacle!"--S.W.
Pinellas County:
"My wife and I were joined by our 19 year old son and his 80 year old grandmother. We went to the 2:30 pm show - huge crowd - packed theatre. Received well with a seven minute standing ovation at the end when Mike's named appeared on screen." --M.W.
"The 8:15 showing was sold out and they were standing in line for the next showing. My wife and I greatly enjoyed your film with a full audience. There was joy and laughter throughout the film which lead to a standing ovation at the end of the film. When we left the theater, we saw several members of various progressive groups handing out flyers. However, the off duty police officer (the Florida State Highway Patrol) told them that they were not allowed to hand out flyers in front of the theater and they had to go across the driveway to the plaza parking lot (which they did). When someone asked the officer for her name and badge number, she said her name was Florida State Highway Patrol and walked away. Then as a group of us were talking in the plaza parking lot, the other off duty police officers (Pinellas County Sheriff) came over and said that we needed to leave. They said that the management has asked them to instruct us to leave. What management? The theater appreciated our business and showed the movie so we would be there. Someone asked for their names and badge numbers and they said they would provide that information (which they never did). One of the group had a camera and pulled it out to take a picture of the police officers, but naturally, they had a call across the parking lot and batted away in their cars. I guess this is part of the patriot act that Congress didn't read."--D.C.
Tampa:
"Luckily I was on business in Tampa this week to catch the opening. I went to the first show. Let me tell you...the theater brought in extra police in case of trouble, I thought that was odd...but a good indicator of the power of the film. Everyone was laughing outloud and cheering, it was the most interactive film experience I have ever seen. A standing ovation at a movie theater...not at all what I was expecting !!"--B.G., USMC
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