‘Where to Invade Next’ Trailer: Michael Moore Is Coming to a Country Near You

Michael Moore is back with his first film since 2009's Capitalism: A Love Story, and this time it appears he’s gotten a little more lighthearted — and yet, the trailer for Where to Invade Next feels like peak Michael Moore, in a good way. While the first preview for his new documentary doesn’t really clarify exactly what this film is about, it is quite delightful.

Where to Invade Next premiered this week at the Toronto International Film Festival, where critics had a mostly positive response to Moore’s latest offering, which sees him “invading” other countries in the name of America and casually interacting with locals.

But what is it about, exactly? Here’s the official description from TIFF:

Michael Moore understands the art of provocation. From Roger & Me to Bowling for Columbine to Fahrenheit 9/11, he’s been ahead of the cultural curve with films that galvanized audiences and escalated box-office records.

Now, six years since his last film and with another US election around the corner, he delivers a fresh surprise that feels current yet perfectly timeless. Filming abroad without drawing attention from American media, Moore reunites his A-team, including producers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin (directors of the Oscar-nominated Trouble the Water), and brings us a funny and provocative work that’s guaranteed to stir up conversation.

The United States’ long history of invading countries and pushing agendas has produced results that are, to say the least, mixed. What if the US could do a better job at invading? That’s the premise for this film, which sends Moore on an epic journey.

Americans may be known as talkers, but Moore actually listens and he’s a magnet for memorable characters. Their dialogues are revelatory, poignant, and hilarious. The film builds momentum toward a culmination that resonates with hard-earned hope.

In the break since his previous film, 2009’s Capitalism: A Love Story, Moore has nurtured his cinematic passions as co-founder of the Traverse City Film Festival and a champion of other directors. Whatever else he’s been doing in that time, it has had a restorative effect on his filmmaking. Where to Invade Next conveys a sense that he’s been saving up his energies to create something really special. Rather than following the predictable motions of partisan politics, he reframes the conversation around hot-button issues in a highly entertaining and subversive way.

It definitely looks like a change of pace for Moore, whose previous documentaries were sharp and insightful, but often left viewers with a more pessimistic outlook about our country’s politics. Where to Invade Next looks optimistic and, more importantly, inspiring.

The film doesn’t have a release date just yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it hits theaters sometime early next year in anticipation of our next presidential election.