(no subject)

[apocalypsos]

Michael Moore has something to say about the whole thing, and it was posted on AICN.

Wednesday, May 5th, 2004

Disney Has Blocked the Distribution of My New Film... by Michael Moore

Friends,

I would have hoped by now that I would be able to put my work out to the public without having to experience the profound censorship obstacles I often seem to encounter.

Yesterday I was told that Disney, the studio that owns Miramax, has officially decided to prohibit our producer, Miramax, from distributing my new film, "Fahrenheit 9/11." The reason? According to today's (May 5) New York Times, it might "endanger" millions of dollars of tax breaks Disney receives from the state of Florida because the film will "anger" the Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush. The story is on page one of the Times and you can read it here (Disney Forbidding Distribution of Film That Criticizes Bush).

The whole story behind this (and other attempts) to kill our movie will be told in more detail as the days and weeks go on. For nearly a year, this struggle has been a lesson in just how difficult it is in this country to create a piece of art that might upset those in charge (well, OK, sorry -- it WILL upset them...big time. Did I mention it's a comedy?). All I can say is, thank God for Harvey Weinstein and Miramax who have stood by me during the entire production of this movie.

There is much more to tell, but right now I am in the lab working on the print to take to the Cannes Film Festival next week (we have been chosen as one of the 18 films in competition). I will tell you this: Some people may be afraid of this movie because of what it will show. But there's nothing they can do about it now because it's done, it's awesome, and if I have anything to say about it, you'll see it this summer -- because, after all, it is a free country.

Yours,

Michael Moore

mmflint@aol.com

Comments

[onetwomany.livejournal.com]

I think it's more likely Disney are pulling it because it links apparently Bush to Osama Bin Laden and blames Republicans for 9/11 in the same way he blamed them for Columbine. That may appeal to the extreme left but is likely to make many, many other people angry, incredulous or just amused. Disney has its eye on the bottom line, and presumably calculated it wasn't worth the risk. Such is economics.

Now, I'm very anti-censorship. But if Jeb Bush really did make threats, he's probably done his brother a big disservice. Pulling this film has probably given it a lot more credibility than it otherwise deserves - afterall, bowling for Columbine was a pack of distorted lies and staged set-ups falsely passed off as a documentary. Everyone knows that now. Chances are, had Fahrenheit 9/11 been released as normal, the film wouldn't have been given any serious credit outside of a few trendy colleges, and would possibly have persuaded a couple of moderates that extreme liberals really are as nutty as those on the right. Now, on the other hand, it's gonna be the center of attention for months and people will wonder if Moore really is saying something the current regime considers worth censoring. All things considered, it's quite the win for him.