Michael Moore: 'americans Now Think More Like Me'

If anyone assumed that the election of Barack Obama precluded the need for Michael Moore, they clearly forgot to tell the man himself. The Oscar-winning American director rolled into the Venice film festival like a conquering hero with his latest work, Capitalism: A Love Story – a film that spotlights the causes behind last year's government bailout of the US banking system.

Moore admitted that he felt vindicated that George Bush had finally gone. "The American people are now thinking more like me," he said.

However, he insisted that there remained more work to do before his vision of America can be realised. "The people can revolt in good ways, in non-violent ways, for what they believe is right," he said. "That revolt has already begun. But one man – Barack Obama – cannot make that happen. Obama will rise or fall based on what we all do to support him because democracy is a participatory sport."

While Moore's film confines itself to the US financial crisis, the director claims it is relevant to audiences around the world. "In Europe you are experiencing the consequences of an economic collapse that began on Wall Street," he said. "And in Italy you have this crazy leader." He added: "Actually, I'm not sure I should say that seeing as I am a guest here."