Disney blocking the release of F911 is GREAT news

[fryguy]

(please delete if this is a dupe)

Consider it, Michael Moore will release this film no matter what - even if he has to mortgage his entire estate and liquidate all his assets. So if Miramax does succumb to Disney's pressure, I imagine Moore will set up his own distribution company (if he doesn't have one already) or find a smaller, less timid vendor. But, even it is only in art theaters or streaming on the Internet, it will be released.

And when it is, watch out. Because all this controversy is only serving to give the film more free publicity than Moore could have hoped to get. Think about what Reilly's suit against Franken did for his book sales - same thing is happening now.

Best thing that could happen for the movie is that the dispute drags out longer in the media.....

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Depends on the contract Moore signed

Did he retain rights? I remembered when this was vetted but don't recall the arrangement. If the film is Disney's property..that might not be so.

[Emboldened Chimp]

6. Good question...I thought of this, too...

Moore is industry as well as politically savvy. I can only assume he knew this was a possibility beforing signing the distribution deal. This could simply be a stall tactic by Disney. They obviously know what the contract says, and by pulling this they can delay release long enough for the election to come and go. THEN they will probably release it or Moore's contract.

[fryguy]

8. I would be REAL surprised

if Moore didn't retain ownership rights and only gave distribution rights to Mirmax. Besides, whatever contract he does have with them should also have a clause providing for an eventuallity that Mirmax/Disney decides not to promote and release the film that Moore retains rights to seek alternative distribution rights. And if he didn't retain such rights, he should fire his attorney.....

[Emboldened Chimp]

9. I'm sure such clauses are standard.

[BOSSHOG]

2. You are right Fryguy

I hope the right wing cowards with microphones trash him and his movie 24/7. Moore will get it out long before the election. How will corporate Disney respond if he makes a ton of profit with the movie? bush in one hand, lost profits in the other. What's a corporate criminal to do.

[ohiosmith]

3. He should go direct to DVD if all else fails.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. I wonder if Stern will have Michael Moore on and talk about this

should be right up Stern's alley given he feels silenced.

[WFF]

10. What about Hardball & Keith Olbermann?

They always like to cover controversy. And CNN Headline News was reporting that Disney doesn't want to distribute it because Eisner is afraid Jeb will cut out their tax breaks. So it is making mainstream media.

[LeahMira]

14. About those tax breaks...

Eisner is afraid Jeb will cut out their tax breaks.

It should be interesting to all those Florida retirees who are living on a fixed income to find out just how much of a tax break Jeb is giving to Disney (which certainly is NOT living on a fixed income!).

Matter of fact, it should be interesting to ALL Americans to find out just how much in the way of tax breaks all America's corporations are getting.

Hmmm... this could be interesting!

[dedhed]

5. A lovely thought...

... I hope all of the free publicity results in a release-date that's before the November election!

:bounce:

[whosinpower]

7. That is why Disney is involved

It was to allow Moore do his "thing" and CONTROL whether or not it is ever released. That was my opinion for the beginning.

[Canuckistanian]

11. True! No such thing as bad publicity.

Damn that liberal media!

[democracyindanger]

12. That's why I wonder if this is a stunt

Nothing like a little controversy to drum up free press...

[Bridget Burke]

13. Checking on Netflix

Their #1 most requested documentary is "Bowling for Columbine". #10 is "Roger & Me"--it's been out a while, but is moving up the list.

There is money to be made; a way will be found for the next film to be released.

[Used and Abused]

15. Were you thinking of Mel Gibson's success with The Passion?

Somehow, I don't believe the media is going to give Moore the same amount of airtime as they did Gibson... I don't think this is a great thing at all. The only way this movie can create a buzz is if a major company *AGREES* to release it--that is when the RIGHT WING MEDIA will go crazy and do all of Moore's advertising for him.

[fryguy]

16. wasn't thinking about The Passion

was more thinking about Al Franken's book. When O'Rielly and Faux News sued him over defamation for using his image and tag line, it was the best thing that could have happened for sales. Having every media outlet talking about it created such a buzz that, once the book hit the stands, it went straight to number one.

Obviously a movie is, in some ways, not as easy to promote or distribute as a book. But even if Disney decided to block Mirmax from releasing the movie under their banner, I am 100% certain that Moore, an Oscar winning director, will have no problem finding another outlet - even straight to DVD and streaming Internet - to get the movie onto the market. And if it all he is able to manage is a limited release, I suspect that the buzz generated will create a demand for wider release which other distributors will not be able to ignore. Moore is no stranger to this phenomenon - Rodger and Me, et al - and I'm sure he's considered this possibility and was prepared for it......