‘Sicko’ premieres on L.A. skid row
Hollywood loves to hold movie premieres in unusual places -- on aircraft carriers, in Disneyland, inside Alcatraz. Michael Moore decided to unveil his new healthcare documentary “Sicko” in a locale few studio executives have ever visited: skid row.
On Monday night, Moore and distributor the Weinstein Co. screened “Sicko” on the street in front of the Union Rescue Mission.
About 200 clients of the mission and other homeless people attended the screening, which included free popcorn and sodas. The film opens in theaters in Los Angeles on Friday.
“We wanted to invite the whole community,” said the Rev. Andy Bales, the mission’s chief executive.
In an impassioned introduction, Moore noted that one of the film’s scenes -- in which a hospital dumps an indigent patient on skid row -- unfolded right where the movie was showing.
Said Moore: “I am so glad to do a real Hollywood premiere right here on the streets of downtown Los Angeles.”
A glitzier unveiling of the film is set for Tuesday night in Beverly Hills.
--
John Horn