The Daily Camera: CU grad's work pivotal to movie

The Daily Camera: News: "One of the most controversial scenes in the new Michael Moore documentary, 'Fahrenheit 9/11,' was shot by embedded journalist and University of Colorado doctoral candidate Urban Hamid.
Hamid introduced 'Fahrenheit 9/11' Thursday at the Landmark Esquire Theater, which held a $40-per person fund-raiser for Boulder-based Free Speech TV and New York-based Deep Dish TV.

Ellen Maslow, director of Boulder's Present Tense: Films and Discussion series, brought Hamid's Iraq footage to the Boulder Theater on March 1, giving people a sneak preview of controversial scenes. One of the most talked-about involves U.S. soldiers touching and laughing at the unintended erection of a drunk, crippled Iraqi.

Maslow's work with Hamid led to his meeting another director, Deep Dish TV's Brian Drolet. It was through Drolet's editor that Michael Moore saw Hamid's footage.

"He put it into 'Fahrenheit 9/11' and (it) turned out to be the pivotal part of the film that everyone is talking about," Maslow said. "And it all started at the Boulder Theater."

By Mary Butler
Camera Staff Writer