Movies - Dec. 18, 1989

‘Roger & Me’ & Michigan: First-time director Michael Moore’s “Roger & Me” will have its gala world premiere far from the usual star-studded locales in Hollywood or New York. The critically acclaimed documentary, which takes a darkly humorous look at the impact of General Motors layoffs in Flint, Mich., will have its premiere in Flint on Tuesday. The 8 p.m. premiere of the film will be shown simultaneously on all 14 screens at the Showcase Cinemas and the theaters will be filled primarily with the citizens of Flint. GM Chairman Roger Smith--the Roger in “Roger & Me”--has been invited, though he isn’t likely to show up. In fact, GM is so upset at the movie that a Detroit-area film institute briefly sought last week to cancel the Detroit premiere of “Roger & Me,” only to reverse itself when Moore charged that it did so under pressure from board members with ties to GM. Moore, a native of Flint, made the film for a mere $260,000.