Skid Row, the centre of home-lessness in Los Angeles, is not usually known for Hollywood premieres. But that all changed on Monday when Michael Moore unspooled Sicko, his exposé of the American health care system, at the Union Rescue Mission.

“The Hollywood premiere was scheduled for tomorrow night. But I said the real premiere should take place at the mission,” Moore told the crowd – some of the 50 million people in the US who have no health care.

Some watched clutching their suitcases, others pushed belongings in shopping carts, as guests went to and fro in a large hall. “Just wait till the rats get here,” said one woman, amid sightings of a giant cockroach outside.

There were gasps as the crowd recognised one of their own on screen, a woman dumped here by a local hospital; cries as a mother’s baby died in casualty; outrage at 9/11 rescuers going to Cuba for treatment; and whispers of disbelief at free health care in Canada, France and the UK.

BACKGROUND

• Sicko review

• Weinstein braces for backlash

• Moore is wrong about the NHS

• Ministering to the Sicko

BACKGROUND

• Moore in hot water for Cuba trip

• Citizen Moore

• Moore's ill wind blows over political agenda

• Review: America: Dude, Where's My Country by Michael Moore

• Tables turned on Fahrenheit 9/11’s maker

Just how good is Mr Good Guy?

Michael Moore is misleading, vain, irritating, greedy, hypocritical, pointless and ineffective. Or is he?

Related Internet Links

• 2007 London Film Festival coverage

• Times Online Film Trailers

“I’m definitely saving up to get my passport now,” said one man. Another left clutching sketches he’d brought to show Moore.

“Keep your British health system. Never get rid of it. It’s a wonderful thing,” Moore told us.

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