Documentary portrays Nike CEO negatively

Arizona Daily Wildcat Craig Anderson/Arizona Daily Wildcat Media arts graduate student James Tracy, co-founder of the University of Arizona chapter of Students Against Sweatshops, listens to labor rights advocate Michael Moore (not shown) last week in Phoenix.

The preview, at Harkins Christown Theater March 16, was sponsored by the Phoenix chapter of Arizona Jobs with Justice. It included an appearance by Moore, the former host of the alternative news show "TV Nation," who answered audience members' questions after the film.

"Originally, we had hoped to have the film shown at Gallagher Theatre," said media arts graduate student James Tracy, co-founder of the University of Arizona chapter of Students Against Sweatshops.

Tracy said Moore's film tour is timely because the UA is negotiating a multi-million-dollar deal with Nike that would provide swoosh-laden athletic apparel to the university's 18 Division I sports teams.

Unfortunately, he said, Moore's busy 30-city tour schedule and UA students' spring break absence did not make it feasible to hold a screening at the university.

The movie's title, "The Big One," refers to a scene in which Moore and a radio disc jockey try to come up with a less descriptive, more intimidating name for the United States.

During one segment of the film, which was made during a 1996 tour for his book, Downsize This!: Random Threats from an Unarmed American , Moore invites Nike CEO Philip Knight to fly with him to Indonesia to examine the company's factory working conditions.

"Here are two tickets to Indonesia, one with your name on it and one with my name on it," Moore said to the athletic shoe tycoon, showing him the tickets.

When Knight declined the offer, Moore asked him to open a shoe factory in unemployment-ridden Flint, Mich. - Moore's hometown.

Although he initially agreed to consider the idea, Knight later said he didn't think Americans would want to make shoes for a living - even after Moore showed Knight video clips of Flint residents shouting and pleading for jobs.

Tracy said the film's portrayal of Knight reinforced concerns that UA President Peter Likins is relying on him for information about Nike's conduct - especially since Likins has refused to officially meet with protesters.

Likins and Arizona State University President Lattie Coor traveled to Nike's headquarters in Oregon last month to get Knight's guarantee that Nike will adhere to its code of conduct and not violate the human rights of its shoemakers in east Asia.

Nike has been criticized for allowing its predominantly female factory workers to work 12-to 16-hour days for less-than-livable wages while breathing in noxious glue fumes and other carcinogens.

"He (Likins) is like the cop that goes to a house to investigate spousal abuse and only questions the husband," Tracy said.

After the movie, Moore told the audience that Knight is a likable person who has a conscience - although it is buried deep beneath his thick corporate skin.

"Phil Knight is one of my favorite crooks," Moore said.

The film was made for British television. Miramax will release "The Big One" in the United States April 10. Half of the film's profits will go to charities in Flint.