Fahrenheit 9/11

[Raikus]

Moore accused of publicity stunt over Disney 'ban'
By Andrew Gumbel in Los Angeles

Less than 24 hours after accusing the Walt Disney Company of pulling the plug on his latest documentary in a blatant attempt at political censorship, the rabble-rousing film-maker Michael Moore has admitted he knew a year ago that Disney had no intention of distributing it.

The admission, during an interview with CNN, undermined Moore's claim that Disney was trying to sabotage the US release of Fahrenheit 911 just days before its world premiere at the Cannes film festival.

Instead, it lent credence to a growing suspicion that Moore was manufacturing a controversy to help publicise the film, a full-bore attack on the Bush administration and its handling of national security since the attacks of 11 September 2001.

In an indignant letter to his supporters, Moore said he had learnt only on Monday that Disney had put the kibosh on distributing the film, which has been financed by the semi-independent Disney subsidiary Miramax.

But in the CNN interview he said: "Almost a year ago, after we'd started making the film, the chairman of Disney, Michael Eisner, told my agent he was upset Miramax had made the film and he will not distribute it."

Nobody in Hollywood doubts Fahrenheit 911 will find a US distributor. His last documentary, Bowling for Columbine , made for $3m (£1.7m), pulled in $22m at the US box office.

But Moore's publicity stunt, if that is what is, appears to be working. A front-page news piece in The New York Times was followed yesterday by an editorial denouncing Disney for censorship and denial of Moore's right to free expression.

Moore told CNN that Disney had "signed a contract to distribute this [film]" but got cold feet. But Disney executives insists there was never any contract. And a source close to Miramax said that the only deal there was for financing, not for distribution.

[pete]

yeah but that article is just a spin on what Michael Moore already said: Disney told them a year ago they wouldn't distribute it, Miramax told him to ignore them and go on making the movies.

[Raikus]

The article is just plain speak for what everyone already knows. Of course Moore is using it as a publicity stunt--that's what he does. He already knew that Disney wouldn't distribute, but he'll get a distributor anyway and he's just using the violin to milk the media.

But again, that's what the man does. I just don't see why people are acting surprised over it.

[mutinyco]

One other thing, though: yeah, he's using it as a publicity stunt, but he is calling attention to something that does have legs, the general media censorship of Bush criticism. So what if he knew a year ago? Even better if Miramax told him to continue -- obviously they wanted the movie made.

But his overall point does have legs. It's been consistent. Remember, for example, when Donohue was canned by MSNBC for criticizing Iraq during the buildup to the invasion? The immediate spin was that he was canceled because of low ratings. In fact, he had the most popular show on the station.

There HAS been a general sense of corporate censorship. And if any of you were alive during the '80s, it happened then, too. It wasn't just that blockbusters were making more money, it's that with Reagan in power the corporations -- most of whom are conservative -- blocked anything controversial.

[indiana]

hrm... just a other way for micheal moore to make fun of bush.
peace

[El Duderino]

hrm... just a other way for micheal moore to make fun of bush.
peace

or show everyone what he actually is.

[MacGuffin]

Weinsteins, Disney Near Deal on 'Fahrenheit 9/11'

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Co. and the co-chiefs of Miramax Films are near a deal that would allow director Michael Moore to find a new distributor for his controversial documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11," company officials said on Wednesday.

Disney, Miramax's parent company, had refused to release the film that chronicles America's reaction to the Sept. 11 attacks and links President Bush's family and prominent Saudis that include the family of Osama bin Laden.

The film is set to premiere at the Cannes film festival, which began on Wednesday in the French Riviera city.

Miramax spokesman Matthew Hiltzik said Disney had agreed to sell rights to Moore's film to Miramax co-chief executives Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob Weinstein, who could then go out and find a new distributor.

A Disney spokeswoman, however, characterized the parties as still being in negotiations.

"We are very happy that Disney has agreed to sell 'Fahrenheit 9/11' to Bob and Harvey," Hiltzik said in a statement. "Bob and Harvey look forward to promptly completing this transaction."

Said Disney spokeswoman Zenia Mucha: "Disney has offered to sell Miramax's interest in the film to either a third party or Harvey and Bob."

Hiltzik said the terms offered by the Weinsteins were similar to a 1999 deal for the movie "Dogma," in which director Kevin Smith challenged Catholic doctrines, raising the ire of some church groups.

In that arrangement, the Weinsteins bought the rights to "Dogma" from Miramax with Disney's agreement, and then signed their own deal to have independent film company Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. release the movie to theaters.

Disney's decision, which it said it had made a full year ago, spurred headlines last week when Moore, the filmmaker behind 2002's Oscar-winning "Bowling for Columbine," went public with the company's refusal to distribute his film.

A spokesman for Moore said he was not immediately available to comment.

[MacGuffin]

Temperatures rise as 'Fahrenheit 9/11' race heats up
Source: Hollywood Reporter

CANNES -- A tight race is now developing among a handful of distributors interested in Michael Moore's documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11," following the announcement late Wednesday that Bob and Harvey Weinstein are close to an agreement with the Walt Disney Co. to buy back Miramax's interest in the film.

According to several sources close to the situation, the outfits leading that pack are Universal Pictures' specialty division Focus Features and Newmarket Films, where president Bob Berney recently took over distribution of the equally controversial "The Passion of the Christ" for Mel Gibson's Icon.

Lions Gate Films could be a contender as well, according to several sources, because that indie banner has previously rolled out such too-hot-to-handle Miramax fare as "Dogma." In their statement acknowledging the current discussions with Disney, the Weinsteins specifically mentioned "providing Disney a term sheet based on the deal previously done on 'Dogma.' "

Lions Gate has not yet screened "9/11," but both Focus and Newmarket took a look at Moore's film before the opening of the festival.

"9/11" explores the relationship between the Bush family and Saudi Arabia as well as America's foreign policy post-Sept. 11.

One indie insider further said that Miramax could now be exploring a deal with a major studio and possibly looking to split up the film's theatrical, DVD and television rights among various interests. The film's DVD rights could prove particularly lucrative for such a property.

A Miramax representative declined comment on the film's possible bidders.

The Weinsteins, under the deal they are finalizing with Disney, will spend $5 million-$6 million to get back "9/11" in full.

In 2002, MGM unit United Artists -- then headed by indie vet Bingham Ray -- picked up Moore's previous documentary, "Bowling for Columbine," in Cannes and rolled out the film to become the highest-grossing nonconcert docu of all time in North America. One source said that a deal involving Ray, who has since left UA, and another indie distributor was pitched to the Weinsteins but now seems unlikely.

Both Moore and the Weinsteins seem to feel most comfortable in the middle of media maelstroms, which are legendary for both parties. During a recent panel on movie marketing at the Tribeca Film Festival, Ray gave Moore props for being a born marketer.

"That guy pisses someone off every time he walks out his front door," he said.

Moore's movie became the center of a growing controversy last week when Moore charged that he had just learned that Disney was refusing to allow Miramax to distribute the feature.

But late Wednesday, the Weinsteins announced and Disney confirmed that they are in discussions to personally buy out Miramax's interest in the film.

With "9/11" scheduled to have its world premiere at the fest Monday, the Weinsteins have begun the process of looking for a new distributor, and the fest was abuzz Thursday with speculation that a new deal might be struck before the end of the festival.

"We are very happy that Disney has agreed to sell 'Fahrenheit 9/11' to Bob and Harvey. (Miramax) is providing Disney a term sheet based on the deal previously done on 'Dogma.' Bob and Harvey look forward to promptly completing the transaction," Miramax spokesman Matthew Hiltzik said Wednesday.

Disney spokesperson Zenia Mucha confirmed: "We are in discussions for Harvey and Bob Weinstein to personally purchase Miramax's rights to 'Fahrenheit 9/11.' Both sides are interested in completing this as soon as possible."

Although a few recent press reports suggested that Disney had refused to allow the Weinsteins to purchase the rights, Mucha said that was not the case, emphasizing that "we have been in discussions for some period of time."

Under the deal that is nearing completion, the Weinsteins are expected to repay Miramax its investment in the film. Disney would retain no interest in the controversial property. And the Weinsteins would then control the domestic rights to the film.

French sales banner Wild Bunch is handling international rights to the movie, which has already been picked up by the United Kingdom's Optimum Releasing.

[brockly]

has this been posted yet?

Moore: Bush Administration Is Trying To Ban My Film

Controversial film-maker Michael Moore has accused President George W. Bush's government of trying to thwart the creation and release of his documentary Fahrenheit 9/11. The Bowling For Columbine director told an audience at the Cannes Film Festival that the President's team feared the effect of the film - which exposes the links between the Bush and Bin Laden families - would spell disaster for the Republican party in the upcoming elections. Moore - who famously cried, 'Shame on you Mr Bush' as he received his Oscar in 2002 - is now hoping Miramax bosses Bob and Harvey Weinstein will distribute the film after Disney refused to. According to Moore, "someone connected to the White House, a top Republican" has put pressure on film companies not to release the movie. Moore explains, "The potential for this film to have an impact on the election was much larger than they thought. It is certainly something the Bush administration does not want people to see."

[coffeebeetle]

hrm... just a other way for micheal moore to make fun of bush.
peace

or show everyone what he actually is.

I'll second that.

EDIT: After that snippet of news, I'm REALLY excited to see this film.

[Jeremy Blackman]

I just heard on the BBC that Moore snuck cameras into Iraq and had a few journalists imbedded with the army without them knowing it would be for a Michael Moore movie.

[cine]

I just heard on the BBC that Moore snuck cameras into Iraq and had a few journalists imbedded with the army without them knowing it would be for a Michael Moore movie.

I thought Moore made mention of this already. That he was apparently getting away with it so easily because Iraq was basically being treated as another U.S. state.  

[Jeremy Blackman]

I thought Moore made mention of this already. That he was apparently getting away with it so easily because Iraq was basically being treated as another U.S. state.  

Is there an interview you can point me to that's not spoilerish?

[mogwai]

photo call from cannes film festival

a press conference is yet to be uploaded.

[mutinyco]

Here y'all go:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/18/movies/18CANN.html
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,638819,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3722769.stm
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/040517/1/3kc5y.html
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&e=1&u=/ap/20040517/ap_en_mo/cannes_fahrenheit_911
http://moviepoopshoot.com/elsewhere/index.html