Michael Moore Hijacks Movie Theaters With New Movie Trailer

Update: Overture has released the official trailer, embedded after the jump.

Every Friday night I represent /Film as a guest on the BDK Movie Show on WJFK, and tonight's show kicked off with a great little scoop about Michael Moore. Being a DC based radio station, they were definitely (once again) in the right place, at the right time.

Lucky moviegoers in a very small number of theaters in NY, LA, Chicago and DC tonight ended up playing a part in the promotions for Michael Moore's next documentary. As Peter told you on Thursday, the teaser trailer for Moore's as-yet untitled 'bailout' film was set for premiere in cinemas today. What he couldn't tell you then was just how unusual the first teaser trailer was, and how interactive...

Perhaps the lucky cinema patrons had some inkling that something odd was going to go down tonight when, as they walked in to take their seats, they had to pass by signs telling them that they were liable to be filmed and informing them that entering the auditorium would be, in effect, giving consent for their images to be recorded and used.

The very last trailer to be screened before the movie was something of a surprise. Shosanna Dreyfuss style, a big close-up of Michael Moore appeared on the screen, addressed the audience directly, and told them the following:

Hi, I'm Michael Moore. Instead of using this time to tell you about my new movie I'd like to take a moment and ask you to join me in helping our fellow Americans. The downturn in the economy has hurt many people, people who have had no choice but to go on government assistance. Yet our welfare agencies can only do so much. That's why I'm asking you to reach into your pockets right now and lend a hand. Ushers will be coming down the aisles to collect your donations for Citibank, Bank of America, AIG, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and a host of other needy banks and corporations. Won't you please give generously? Now, I know what you're thinking – I already gave at the bailout. And I know you did, but even if you've given in the past, give some more. It will make you feel... good.

During this, ushers really did walk out amongst the patrons with buckets in hand and wearing T-shirts with the slogan 'Save our CEOs'. I don't know if anybody dropped any cash in, or for that matter what Moore's team would have done with any donated funds. Perhaps he'll actually try and pass it on to the ailing institutions and film the ensuing events for the film? Sounds like a possible Moore move.

I think we can expect a wider release of a similar teaser that cuts together the announcement with footage shot in that handful of cinemas that took part in the stunt tonight, and from what I heard on WJFK, this trailer could hit as soon as Sunday. A very special audio clip from the show lies below.