Director Moore to focus on Blair





Moore won an Oscar for his documentary Bowling for Columbine


Controversial film-maker Michael Moore has said he intends to follow up his anti-Bush documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 with a film about Tony Blair.

Director Moore wants to take a closer look at the British prime minister's role in backing the war in Iraq.

In a recent interview he said he holds Blair "more responsible for this war in Iraq than I do George W Bush".

"Blair knows better. Blair is not an idiot. What is he doing hanging around this guy?" Moore told Reuters.

Alleged links

Fahrenheit 9/11, which opens in US cinemas on 25 June, won the prestigious Palme d'Or award at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

The film explores the Iraq war and alleges links between the Bush family and Osama Bin Laden.

It also claims that President Bush manipulated the US into war with Iraq through a combination of fear and misinformation.

Miramax's parent firm Disney refused to distribute the film, which also criticises President Bush's response to the 11 September attacks on the US.





Moore interviewed soldiers and bereaved parents for his new film




The documentary is being released by Miramax chiefs Bob and Harvey Weinstein, through a deal with two outside companies.

Moore told Reuters he took the decision to ignore Blair's involvement in the war on Iraq while making Fahrenheit 9/11, choosing instead to focus solely on President Bush.

"I struggled with it because, I think, what I decided is that I need to make a separate film about Blair. I need to do something about Blair and Britain."

The film-maker likened the relationship between staunch allies Blair and Bush, to that of an older sibling to his younger brother.

Meanwhile, Moore is preparing for the onslaught of public criticism that could greet Fahrenheit 9/11 when it is released in the US later this month.

Political advisers

He has hired Chris Lehane and Mark Fabiani, two former political advisers to Bill Clinton and Al Gore, to respond to claims that Moore doctored the facts.

"You come at me with anything, we come back with the truth," said Moore.

Moore, who makes no secret of his anti-Bush stance, has said he hopes Americans see Fahrenheit 9/11 before they vote in this year's presidential election.

However, he has yet to give his support to presumed Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, adding that if Kerry were elected "I'd keep my eye on him, too"