--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can be Michael Moore and make…" description: "\"You can be Michael Moore and make 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' but that's hitting people over the head, and a lot of Americans don't like to be hit over the head..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/lexi-alexander-4779_cinema_you-can-be-michael-moore-and-make-fahren_2375501.jpg" --- # You can be Michael Moore and make 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' but… ![“You can be Michael Moore and make 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' but that's hitting people over the head, and a lot of Americans don't like to be hit over the head. I want to make films that make people walk out and say, 'Wow, I really question if this is all right.'” quote by Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/lexi-alexander-4779_cinema_you-can-be-michael-moore-and-make-fahren_2375501.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/lexi-alexander-4779_cinema_you-can-be-michael-moore-and-make-fahren_2375501.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/lexi-alexander-4779_cinema_you-can-be-michael-moore-and-make-fahren_2375501.jpg) > “You can be Michael Moore and make 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' but that's hitting people over the head, and a lot of Americans don't like to be hit over the head. I want to make films that make people walk out and say, 'Wow, I really question if this is all right.'” [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The filmmaker prefers subtle provocation over overt shock, aiming to inspire thoughtful questioning. **In simple terms:** I want films that make people think, not just shock them. Key Takeaway Create work that encourages reflection rather than force. Themes cinema political discourse subtle persuasion Mood thoughtful inspirational Type cinematic philosophical When to use this quote - documentary filmmaking - public debate - educational media Key Concepts narrative impact ethical storytelling Questions to Reflect On - How can you spark dialogue without alienating viewers? - What subtle cues provoke the most thought? A Different Perspective Balancing impact with audience receptivity can be hard. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [I live, therefore I make films. I make film, therefore I live. Life. Movement. I make home movies, therefore I live. I live, therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-mekas/i-live-therefore-i-make-films-i-make-film-therefore-i-live-life/) [Jonas Mekas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-mekas/) > [Films make stars and stars never make films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-krishna-acharya/films-make-stars-and-stars-never-make-films/) [Vijay Krishna Acharya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-krishna-acharya/) > [I want to make films that make a difference. I want to be out and hope that that will make things better for gay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-bennett/i-want-to-make-films-that-make-a-difference-i-want-to-be-out-and-hope/) [Jill Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-bennett/) > [I think it would be really hypocritical of me to make the films I make, where I delve into people's lives, to say that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-lindstrom/i-think-it-would-be-really-hypocritical-of-me-to-make-the-films-i/) [Brian Lindstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-lindstrom/) > [I want to make films that make people laugh hard, and I am not afraid to walk away from this business tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-schneider/i-want-to-make-films-that-make-people-laugh-hard-and-i-am-not-afraid/) [Rob Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-schneider/) > [I always used to tell others that 'we should make films to make the people happy.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karunas/i-always-used-to-tell-others-that-we-should-make-films-to-make-the/) [Karunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karunas/) > [I've been able to make some wonderful films, but sometimes you make films with great passion - great belief - and these films slightly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yash-chopra/i-ve-been-able-to-make-some-wonderful-films-but-sometimes-you-make/) [Yash Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yash-chopra/) > [I don't make films to win prizes. I make films to make films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-jewison/i-don-t-make-films-to-win-prizes-i-make-films-to-make-films/) [Norman Jewison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-jewison/) > [I have to write for everyone. What really fascinates me is how you make films or make stories that can genuinely be shared by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/i-have-to-write-for-everyone-what-really-fascinates-me-is-how-you/) [Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/) > [I think as a filmmaker one should make all kinds of films. It is not that one should make only one kind of film.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madhur-bhandarkar/i-think-as-a-filmmaker-one-should-make-all-kinds-of-films-it-is-not/) [Madhur Bhandarkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madhur-bhandarkar/) > [Growing up, I wanted to write films and make films. Even as I took this detour and stayed in the music world, I still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oneohtrix-point-never/growing-up-i-wanted-to-write-films-and-make-films-even-as-i-took-this/) [Oneohtrix Point Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oneohtrix-point-never/) > [I want to try not to repeat myself. But then I seem to do it continuously in my films. It's not something I make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-anderson/i-want-to-try-not-to-repeat-myself-but-then-i-seem-to-do-it/) [Wes Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-anderson/) > [There's very few people who want to just make beautiful films that make money, when they can make films that make huge money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-selick/there-s-very-few-people-who-want-to-just-make-beautiful-films-that/) [Henry Selick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-selick/) > [Luck, I never looked to make difficult movies on purpose. You make the films you can make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-resnais/luck-i-never-looked-to-make-difficult-movies-on-purpose-you-make-the/) [Alain Resnais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-resnais/) > [Every single fact I state in 'Fahrenheit 9/11' is the absolute and irrefutable truth...Do not let anyone say this or that isn't true. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-kopel/every-single-fact-i-state-in-fahrenheit-9-11-is-the-absolute-and/) [Dave Kopel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-kopel/) ## More by Lexi Alexander > [It's almost comical how un-liberal liberal Hollywood is when it comes to fighting gender and racial bias.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/it-s-almost-comical-how-un-liberal-liberal-hollywood-is-when-it-comes/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [Everybody likes to drink a Coke once in a while; it's when we run out of everything else to drink and we're only left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/everybody-likes-to-drink-a-coke-once-in-a-while-it-s-when-we-run-out/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [When I first made 'Green Street' and I was considered a hot director, I pitched everybody, but there was always this feeling that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/when-i-first-made-green-street-and-i-was-considered-a-hot-director-i/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [If someone is poor in India, they should be able to watch the same films as rich people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/if-someone-is-poor-in-india-they-should-be-able-to-watch-the-same/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [I believe that we have a responsibility to make culture available for all people, not only those who can afford to go to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/i-believe-that-we-have-a-responsibility-to-make-culture-available-for/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [I truly believe that if I would make a bad film, I might be walking into director's jail and never out. And that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/i-truly-believe-that-if-i-would-make-a-bad-film-i-might-be-walking/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [In terms of writing and developing, TV is very open because TV needs stories. They need new pitches, and they need new ideas. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/in-terms-of-writing-and-developing-tv-is-very-open-because-tv-needs/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [I like doing violent movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/i-like-doing-violent-movies/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [Please dox me. You don't even need to dox me - I'll give you my address and wait for you by my doorstep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/please-dox-me-you-don-t-even-need-to-dox-me-i-ll-give-you-my-address/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [Frank Castle knows only two sides: Good and Evil. There is no grey zone for him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/frank-castle-knows-only-two-sides-good-and-evil-there-is-no-grey-zone/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [As someone who grew up in Europe, I don't look at TV and automatically think of a primetime network series, created by a staff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/as-someone-who-grew-up-in-europe-i-don-t-look-at-tv-and-automatically/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [When I first arrived here, after spending years as a competitive fighter and training U.S. Marines in hand-to-hand combat, Hollywood is the last place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/when-i-first-arrived-here-after-spending-years-as-a-competitive/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [If women choose guerilla style filmmaking or new media productions, etc., all power to them. But if they're there because 'Big Hollywood' won't let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/if-women-choose-guerilla-style-filmmaking-or-new-media-productions/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [For every IP block, DRM, and who-knows-what security feature Hollywood spends thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours on, some piracy kid will undo…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/for-every-ip-block-drm-and-who-knows-what-security-feature-hollywood/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) > [The people at Cabot Guns are a rare breed of geniuses and artists in a vast gun world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-alexander/the-people-at-cabot-guns-are-a-rare-breed-of-geniuses-and-artists-in/) [Lexi Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) [Explore all 106 Lexi Alexander quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-alexander/) ## More Cinema quotes > [I made, like, five movies while I was in college. I think they just weren't memorable movies. I've taken breaks as the years have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodie-foster/i-made-like-five-movies-while-i-was-in-college-i-think-they-just/) [Jodie Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodie-foster/) > [You have to have a great director to make a great movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thelma-schoonmaker/you-have-to-have-a-great-director-to-make-a-great-movie/) [Thelma Schoonmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thelma-schoonmaker/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [There was a time in the 1980s when I worked in 22 films a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radha-ravi/there-was-a-time-in-the-1980s-when-i-worked-in-22-films-a-year/) [Radha Ravi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radha-ravi/) > [To an ever greater extent out experience is governed by pictures, pictures in newspapers and magazines, on television and in the cinema. Next to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-crimp/to-an-ever-greater-extent-out-experience-is-governed-by-pictures/) [Douglas Crimp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-crimp/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [I love film people and actors and I am in the right world because I am one of those people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/i-love-film-people-and-actors-and-i-am-in-the-right-world-because-i/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > ['Rear Window' isn't really a horror film, but it is a psychological drama, which I love. It is very tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-silvers/rear-window-isn-t-really-a-horror-film-but-it-is-a-psychological/) [Diana Silvers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-silvers/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) Jessica Yu > [I am not interested in churning out a certain number of films every year. For me, it's about the quality of work. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepika-padukone/i-am-not-interested-in-churning-out-a-certain-number-of-films-every/) [Deepika Padukone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepika-padukone/) [Browse all 23,940 Cinema quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can be Michael Moore and make 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' but that's hitting people over the head, and a lot of Americans don't like to be hit over the head. 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