As for the topic, Moore shared during a live-streamed Q&A session Tuesday afternoon on Periscope that he chose the subject matter because he’s long been bothered by “the issue of the United States in infinite war.” It’s also a subject he felt “provides the necessary satire for this film.”
He expanded, describing America’s approach to overseas conflicts as “this constant need to always have an enemy … so we can keep this whole military industrial complex alive, and keep the companies that make a lot of money in business.”
Moore managed to keep the making of Where to Invade Next under wraps during production, leaving it to TIFF organizers to announce the big news. “I’ve been very quiet about the making of this film,” he said. “We’ve been very diligent about keeping this under cover.”
Once the announcement broke, though, Moore tweeted it out.
The secret’s out – My new film WHERE TO INVADE NEXT just selected for our World Premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in Sept! #W2IN #TIFF15
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 28, 2015
He also shared a promotional image from the film with followers.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 28, 2015
Where to Invade Next will reunite Moore, who served as writer, director, and producer, with several former collaborators. Cinematographer Jayme Roy and editors Pablo Proenza and Woody Richman all worked with Moore on Capitalism: A Love Story. Also involved with Where to Invade Next were producers Tia Lessin and Carl Deal, cinematographer Richard Rowley, editor Tyler Walk, and executive producers Mark Shapiro, Will Staeger, and Rod Birleson.
Where to Invade Next will debut at TIFF in September, but it’s still unclear when the film will open in theaters. Based on Moore’s Q&A, though, it may be around Thanksgiving, as he mentioned a holiday release.