Disney blocks "Farenheit 911" - anyone surprised???

[emad]

From BBC News:
<Snip>

Controversial director Michael Moore has said film studio Disney is refusing to release his new documentary, which heavily criticises President Bush.

Fahrenheit 911 was to be distributed by Miramax, a division of Disney.

But Disney has "officially decided to prohibit" Miramax from distributing the film, the director said on his website.

Moore, who won an Oscar for Bowling for Columbine in 2003, questioned whether in a "free and open society" Disney should be making such a decision.
<snip>
More:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3685633.stm

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Not I

And Mickey needs a kick in the fucking teeth after this.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Crap,. I was just gonna post that

Just read the times article here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/05/national/05DISN.html?ei=1&en=717b8d62&ex=1084766121&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1083766468-CxqKR62MxG9ezhzQdYE4hA

This is total outrageousness.

So what will the Christian fundies do now? They have a dilemma - they boycott Disney because it has sex in the animated movies (which, of course, isn't actually there) and offers benefits to gay partners, but now that Disney is siding with Shrub and keeping Moore's movie from being shown...

[SarahB]

3. Those multi-national corporations need *Bush

no matter how much harm it does to the rest of the world (and us) apparently.

[Systematic Chaos]

4. If anyone has links to the appropriate people to e-mail about that...

I have the need to tell some people in fancy suits to go f**k themselves right about now. :grr:

[emad]

7. Try:

http://www.michaelmoore.com/
http://disney.go.com/home/today/index.html
http://www.miramax.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/

[drumwolf]

5. interesting, considering that

Disney is having some major internal turmoil within its boardroom nowadays (with so many people wanting to boot CEO Michael Eisner). Anyone know which particular faction of PTB within Disney was responsible for this?

Also, how easy would it be for Moore to find another major distributor?

[fryguy]

6. well at least their not even hiding the reason

i heard that they've publically stated that they are worried that swamphead will rescind tax breaks for them down in his banana republic if they release a movie critical of his brother and the rest of his clan....

[Rabrrrrrr]

8. yeah, the Times article mentions Eisner

saying that a year or so ago when Mirimax was looking to buy the film. Eisner was afraid they'd lose their tax breaks in Florida. Though Disney officials deny that ever being said.

Mr. Moore's agent, Ari Emanuel, said Michael D. Eisner, Disney's chief executive, asked him last spring to pull out of the deal with Miramax. Mr. Emanuel said Mr. Eisner expressed particular concern that it would endanger tax breaks Disney receives for its theme park, hotels and other ventures in Florida, where Mr. Bush's brother, Jeb, is governor.

"Michael Eisner asked me not to sell this movie to Harvey Weinstein; that doesn't mean I listened to him," Mr. Emanuel said. "He definitely indicated there were tax incentives he was getting for the Disney corporation and that's why he didn't want me to sell it to Miramax. He didn't want a Disney company involved."

Disney executives deny that accusation, though they said their displeasure over the deal was made clear to Miramax and Mr. Emanuel.

[enfield collector]

9. so much for 1st ammendment rights. thanks mickey. n/t

[aquart]

10. Looks real good after Nightline's little problem.

I feel the bit about the tax breaks in return for censorship is particularly fruitful.

Possibly worth a few questions in Congress. Come on, Dems, TALK.

Query the trend.

[workforpower]

11. The film will be a hit.

Jeb Bush threats may cower Disney but others will play it. It does'nt matter. The only bad publicity is none. Mike Moore is very smart.
He just turned over another rock. Watch the freepers run.

[southpaw]

12. Say it ain't so!!!

The movie will see daylight through other channels than Disney... let's just hope it gets released before November!

[supernova]

15. Cannes premier is still on

according to the BBC.

I'm sure someone there will want to pick it up.

911 is just too juicy to pass up.

[emad]

13. More Moore:

http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,12589,1209992,00.html

[Deja Q]

14. And because Di$ney owns it, they're not going to sell it off...

At least not for a reaosnable price.

Rmemeber Disney is run by sleazy bloodsucking fuckers who charge elementary schools truckloads of money just so some 8 year olds can put on a play of the dumb cartoon movies they make. x(

Yup, no more mickey for me. (disney characters have always been ultra-lax and cardboard. I've never been able to imagine HOW they ever got popular in the first place. Possibly because animation was new... Warner Bros' characters were far better...)

[bif]

16. I ws shocked that Disney signed on in the first place

Knowing what the film is about. This comes as no surprise at all.