Michael Moore to Distribute ‘Slacker’ Movie Online – for Free

By Anastacia Mott Austin

That Michael Moore, he’s always doing something different.

His latest film release is no exception. Moore, 54, told the press that his new movie, called "Slacker Uprising," about his 2004 visit to swing state voters, will be fully downloadable from an online source – free.

It marks the first time a feature-length film has been available to viewers without first having had a theatrical film or television release. Moore says that the quality will be a high-resolution, non-streaming format, "much better than Youtube quality."

"This is being done entirely as a gift to my fans," said Moore, who says he’s grateful for the fan support he’s gotten for his other movies. "I've been very blessed and fortunate to have so many people come to my movies over these two decades, I decided the way to say thanks was to make one that the fans can have for free, as a show of my profound appreciation of their support."

Best known for his scathing political documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11," which was released in 2004, Moore is also known for his unconventional movie-making techniques, like misleading interview subjects in order to get them to talk to him, and attempting to bring American citizens into Cuba for better medical treatment than they’re getting at home. "Fahrenheit 9/11" made $220 million at the box office worldwide, a record for a general release political film.

People tend to either love Moore, or detest him. Either way, no one can say the man doesn’t have an effect on people. He was named as one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential People of 2005.

His hope for the current film is that fans will feel appreciated on the 20th anniversary of his first documentary film, "Roger and Me," and that voter registration might get a boost.

"The only return any of us are hoping for is the largest turnout of young voters ever at the polls in November," said Moore to reporters.

The movie, "Slacker Uprising," is about Moore’s 62-city visit to get out the youth vote in 2004, and he hopes the topic will spur more young voters to register for the 2008 election.

He freely admits that he’s hoping the registration boost will help the Democratic candidate Barack Obama. "This film really isn't for anybody other than the choir," admitted Moore. "But that's because I believe the choir needs a song to sing every now and then."

For three weeks staring September 23rd, the movie will be available for free download from its own website, Slackeruprising.com.

A DVD release will follow in early October.