No Moore 911 for Disney

By: Patrick Sauriol
Date: Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Source: The New York Times, Micahel Moore.com

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore (BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE) has been hit with an unexpected twist of fate: Walt Disney Pictures is refusing to allow its subsidary, Miramax Films, from distributing Moore's next picture, FAHRENHEIT 911, this summer.

Moore's documentary examines the roles that President Bush and the bin Laden family played in the days following the terrorist attacks committed against America on September 11, 2001. The day after 9/11, the bin Laden family members were flown out of the country thanks to a special order allowing them air travel while the remainder of the country's airports were shut down. FAHRENHEIT 911 also examines the close business ties between the Bush and bin Ladens prior to 9/11 and is critical of Bush's role in stopping terrorist activity.

Miramax is trying to work out an agreement with its parent company that would reverse Disney's decree but chances are slim to none of it being reversed.

In a letter posted on his website today, Moore says that the reason he was told of Disney's cold feet for FAHRENHEIT 911 had to due with possible financial repercurssions arising from the loss of tax breaks from the state of Florida in the wake of the release of the film. Florida's governor is Jeb Bush, brother of President Bush.

"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)," writes Moore on his website. "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."



Got a scoop? Know something that you need to tell us about? Send it to us!