> From: mailinglist@...
> Date: May 5, 2004 6:49:08 PM GMT+08:00
> Subject: Disney Has Blocked the Distribution of My New Film... by
> Michael Moore
>
> Disney Has Blocked the Distribution of My New Film... by Michael Moore
>
> May 5, 2004
>
> 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 911." 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@...
> www.michaelmoore.com
>


news item:

Disney Blocks Anti-Bush Film

NEW YORK, May 5, 2004

Moore has stirred controversy before, calling Mr. Bush a "deserter"
earlier this year.

(CBS) Disney has ordered a subsidiary not to distribute a Michael Moore
film critical of President Bush's stance on terrorism, a newspaper
reports.

The New York Times reports Disney has barred Miramax films from
distributing "Fahrenheit 911," an upcoming film in which Moore explores
alleged connections between the Bush family and wealthy Saudis, and
criticizes the president's counter-terrorism policies both before and
after Sept. 11.

A Disney executive says it told Miramax last May that it did not want
to be connected to the North American distribution of the film because
it could be politically divisive.

But Moore's agent tells The Times that Disney chairman Michael Eisner
asked him not to sell the film to Miramax because the company could
lose tax breaks it gets in Florida, where the president's brother Jeb
Bush is governor. Disney denies that.

Miramax says its deal with Disney only allows the company to block
distribution of a film if it is over-budget or gets an NC-17 rating,
neither of which appears to apply to Moore's movie. The two companies
could go to mediation over the dispute.

Miramax bought the film last May when Mel Gibson's Icon Picture backed
out, triggering complaints by conservatives to Disney. Overseas
distribution rights have already been sold. The movie has no planned
release date, says The Times.

The newspaper says Mirimax could find another distributor for North
America, but that doing so would be costly.

Moore is the director of films such as "Roger & Me" and "Bowling for
Columbine," for which he won an Oscar. He has stirred controversy
before, calling Mr. Bush a "deserter" earlier this year, and earning
both cheers and boos when he questioned the legitimacy of Mr. Bush's
2000 election at the 2003 Academy Awards.

Distribution of his book "Stupid White Men," a broadside against the
Bush administration, was delayed because it was due out shortly after
Sept. 11.

©MMIV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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