DA Japan, Kansai movie (Osaka) - "SiCKO" May 19, 2008

This month features Michael Moore's muckraking documentary on America's health care system...

SiCKO (2007)

-- Running time: 1 hr 53 min
-- in English, with English subtitles

* WHEN: May 19 (Mon), from 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.)
* WHERE: The Blarney Stone, Umeda, Osaka, TEL: 06-6364-2001
* Admission: FREE, but a 500-yen donation is appreciated from US citizens.
* Assorted foods and drinks are available.

About SICKO...

SICKO tackles material as controversial as the topics explored in Moore's other films, yet does so in a way that places the focus on ordinary Americans affected by the nation's health-care crisis. After providing some historical background on how our nation's medical care system became so ravaged and unfair, Moore interviews a series of individuals and families who have had their lives all but destroyed by the denial of care in the service of profit.

Moore smartly allows the stories he presents to be told with little or no interference, conjuring strong feelings of empathy, rage, and deep sadness. Of course, SICKO isn't a PBS documentary, it's a Michael Moore film, with all the muckraking style he's good at. Moore visits countries that have universal health care -- spectacularly so when he takes several World Trade Center workers to Guantanamo Bay (and then to Cuba) to receive health care that they were denied in the U.S. -- and presents a compelling argument for adopting a similar system in the States. Moore's ultimate purpose here is to compel Americans to care for one another, and it's a simple request that shockingly must be made via a major motion picture, making SICKO essential viewing.

More info at the film's official website.

For more info, contact: DAJKansai.movies AT gmail.com

*** Our Kyoto film series is now screening twice a month at the Falafel Garden (http://www.falafelgarden.com/). Contact Jenise Treuting (jenise.treuting AT gmail.com) for more info about what's playing.

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UPCOMING in OSAKA...

* Mon, June 16 -- "In Debt We Trust" (2006)
http://www.indebtwetrust.com/

* Mon, July 14 -- "The World According to Monsanto" (2008)
http://www.inteldaily.com/?c=172&a=5653
(tentative, permission pending)

UPCOMING in KYOTO...

Our Kyoto film series is now screening twice a month at Falafel Garden (http://www.falafelgarden.com/). Contact Jenise Treuting (jenise.treuting AT gmail.com) for more info about what's playing.

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*** ANY American living abroad can register to vote (regardless of political affiliation) at www.VoteFromAbroad.org

*** ALL Americans living in Japan are invited join Democrats Abroad Japan at www.DemocratsAbroad.org

Official Website: http://democrat.meetup.com/1205/calendar/7699487/