``I Am Because We Are'' illustrates the poverty that children of
the southern African country face, how the AIDS crisis is
claiming lives, and the conditions that cause disease and other
misery there. But the film urges people to volunteer and tries
to offer hope.
``She takes the viewer through a very personal journey and tries
to connect us, living here in the U.S., giving us a window into
the way it is for other people in the world,'' Moore said.
``You're extremely moved when you watch it. You understand very
clearly why she's devoted so much of her life to the people of
Malawi.''
Moore
said he was ``outraged'' by the criticism Madonna received for
her efforts to adopt David. Some children's rights groups said
it would be better to provide more resources so children could
remain in their native countries. Others accused her of using
her celebrity status to circumvent Malawian adoption laws, which
she denied.
``As one who has seen what the yellow press can and does do, all
of that was just one more reminder to me of just how dishonest
so much of the media is in this country,'' Moore said.
An e-mail message seeking comment was sent to a publicist for
Madonna.
Moore, who won the Academy Award in 2002 for ``Bowling for
Columbine,'' said he saw an early version of Madonna's film in
London while shooting scenes for his latest documentary, ``Sicko.''
After watching the finished product about a month ago, he asked
Madonna for permission to screen it during the festival in
Traverse City, his adopted hometown about 250 miles (402
kilometers) northwest of Detroit. Moore established the festival
in 2005 with local author Doug Stanton and photographer John
Robert Williams.
``She said she'd be thrilled to come here and be part of the
film festival,'' Moore said. ``We were pleasantly surprised.''
Madonna, born in Bay City and raised to the south near Detroit,
recently released a new album, ``Hard Candy,'' and is preparing
for a worldwide tour that begins in August. She'll take a
one-day break from rehearsals to visit Traverse City.
The film will be shown in a downtown theater that seats 540.
After the film is shown, Madonna will take questions from the
audience, Moore said.
On the Net: Film festival:
http://www.traversecityfilmfest.org
Madonna film:
http://www.iambecauseweare.com
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