Moore gets go ahead for health documentary

The phenomenal success of Fahrenheit 9/11 has given Michael Moore the commercial clout to start work on his next documentary - a look at health maintenance organizations (HMOs).

The Oscar-winning director has found financing 'Sicko' a lot easier since Fahrenheit 9/11 surpassed the $100m (€83.8m) mark at the American box-office.

Moore explains: "Clearly, if you make a movie that has this ration of how much it costs $6m to its gross, you're going to find an easy time making your next film."

However, Moore would still have persevered with Sicko, regardless of Fahrenheit 9/11's success.

He adds: "I've never let that get in the way, anyway. Even if this movie hadn't done as well, that movie was going to get made, because I think the American people are clamouring to see the HMOs punished."