Photo Catpion

---

Click to view caption

American fans hold up a banner in support of Michael Moore at the 57th international film festival in Cannes on Monday

OSCAR-WINNING director Michael Moore left no one unmoved at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday after the showing of his latest documentary Fahrenheit 911. The film, savage in its criticism of the Bush administration in the post-11 September world, shocked some and elated others.

Received with a 20-minute standing ovation -- reportedly the longest in the festival's history -- Moore's latest expose includes images of US soldiers putting hoods on Iraqi prisoners.

The most sought after screening at the festival, Fahrenheit 911 is in competition for the top prize, the Palme d'Or. Critics, however, argue that Moore is not out for awards but rather to prompt Americans to vote Bush out of office in November's presidential elections.

"Will it influence the election? I hope it just influences people to leave the theatre and become good citizens," Moore said at a news conference on Monday. "I'll leave it to others to decide what kind of impact it's going to have on the election."

His press conference also included remarks criticising British Prime Minister Tony Blair: "The one thing you can say about Blair is he's smart. What's he doing hanging out with a guy like George Bush? That's the weirdest couple I've ever seen. I know he misses his old buddy Bill Clinton -- but to settle for this? Brits aren't you embarrassed?"