New Michael Moore Film Gives Nod to Durms of St. Ignace
By Paul Gingras

Filmmaker Michael Moore (left) poses with Joe and Sandy Durm of St. Ignace at Lulu's Restaurant in Bellaire Saturday, June 16, prior to the premiere of Mr. Moore's newest film, "Sicko," which the Durms attended.

Film maker Michael Moore wears a "Java Joe's" restaurant hat in one scene of his new movie, "Sicko," highlighting his interest in the Straits of Mackinac and his friendship with Joe and Sandy Durm of St. Ignace.

Mr. Moore became friends with the Durms when celebrating his birthday in the area four years ago.

Celebrating his birthday in the Straits area, complete with Sunday breakfast at Java Joe's, has become a tradition for Mr. Moore, who is known for his politically charged documentaries such as "Roger and Me" and "Fahrenheit 9/11," which reference Michigan and focus on corporate and governmental irresponsibility.

Mr. Durm is impressed that Roger Moore thought to include the plug for the St. Ignace restaurant in "Sicko." There is a similar reference in the movie to the University of Michigan, where Mr. Moore went to school, Mr. Durm said.

A former Mackinac County Democratic Party chairman, Mr. Durm has hosted meals at his restaurant for the Antrim County Democratic Party, through which he met Mr. Moore. Two years ago, Mr. Durm gave him the hat that appears in "Sicko," a film that compares health care in the United States to other industrial nations.

The movie points out that millions of Americans lack health care coverage and that the federal government has resisted reforming the health care system.

The Durms attended the premier of the film in Bellaire Saturday, June 16, which Mr. Moore hosted as a fundraiser for the Antrim County Democratic Party.