Filmmaker Michael Moore, never one to let his political opinions be unheard, has been noticeably quiet in the public spotlight, having not made a film since Capitalism: A Love Story back in 2009. But don't mistake that for him letting his guard down or not being opinionated about the state of politics, especially as his latest comments may come as a surprise from some of his fans.
Brisbane Times, via The Hollywood Reporter, quotes the director taking aim at the commander in chief, calling him "a big disappointment" during his discussion at the Toronto International Film Festival.
"When the history is written of this era, this is how you'll be remembered: He was the first black president," the Bowling for Columbine director said. "OK, not a bad accomplishment, but that's it. That's it, Mr. Obama. One hundred years from now: 'He was the first black American that got elected president.' And that's it."
He didn't stop there, of course. He continued by noting, "Eight years of your life and that's what people are going to remember. Boy, I got a feeling, knowing you, that - you'd probably wish you were remembered for a few other things, a few other things you could've done."
"So, it is, on that level, a big disappointment," were his finishing words on the matter.
Moore was at the film festival during a special 25-anniversay screening of his first movie, Roger and Me. In his keystone speech, he also slammed some of his peer documentary filmmakers for losing their senses of humor and serving up "dour fare" in their movies.
"People don't want medicine, they want popcorn," he said. "Entertainment is the big dirty word of documentary. 'Oh no! I've entertained someone. I've cheapened my movie!'"
A Blu-Ray version of Roger and Me will be hitting stores on Oct. 7. No word from the Academy-Award winning documentarian on if he has any more movies down the pipeline.
Image courtesy of INFphoto.com