Anti-Bush Tirade Wins Top Award in Cannes

[mia]

Why would Reuters characterize the film as a tirade and diatribe?


By Joelle Diderich and Paul Majendie
CANNES, France (Reuters) - U.S. director Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," a savage indictment of President Bush's handling of Iraq and the war on terror, won the top award at the Cannes film festival Saturday.

"I have this great hope that things are going to change," said Moore after tearing into Bush with his emotion-charged documentary in the run-up to November's presidential election.

The Oscar-winning director, overwhelmed by the standing ovation given to his Palme d'Or best film award, said: "I want to make sure if I do nothing else for this year that those who have died in Iraq have not died in vain."

Moore was the big winner on a night otherwise dominated by Asian films, which took three top prizes to show they are now a major force in world cinema.

Moore's diatribe focuses on how America and the White House reacted
to the September 11, 2001, hijacking attacks and traces links between the Bush family and prominent Saudis, including the family of Osama bin Laden....

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=5226382

[ewagner]

1. Good for Mike

How do you think this will play "Stateside"?

[FlashHarry]

5. The FReepers will love it.

An anti-Bush film feted by the French. What more could they ask for? :)

[AP]

2. Because Moore is going to show what a miserable job the've done

reporting the news for the last three years.

[Robb]

3. "Diatribe", too...

Well, let the propaganda continue. :eyes:

[bunk76]

4. I would guess....

because it's hip to be a member of the on my knees for bush brigade? I am curious,has anyone seen the "liberal media"cover Mr.Moore receiving this most distinguished award?
:evilgrin:

[izzie]

6. Lots of anti things do not go over. Years later they turn out as good.

------

[Judi Lynn]

7. Very bad judgement on Reuters' part, wouldn't you say? n/t

[mia]

11. and they don't "offer subjective opinion" either...

Do Reuters journalists voice their own opinions?

[Democat]

8. Reuters and AP love Bush, hate Democrats

No news there.

[borison]

9. I just hope

I'll get to see it. The last I heard, Eisner was doing everything he could to prevent Mirimax from buying the film back to get a new distributor. Sounds to me like he got a call from someone in the Bush administration.

[newyawker99]

14. Hi borison!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Pattib]

24. We'll have to get bootleg copies if they won't distribute it here.

My daughter wanted to see the movie Ned Kelly. It had been released on DVD in Europe over a year before it came to the U.S. I called my friend in New Zeland and she sent me a copy. I am dying to see this movie. Hope we won't have to resort to drastic measures.

[Democat]

10. Send a link to this article to MediaMatters.org - they will research!

http://mediamatters.org/etc/contact.html

[OneBlueSky]

12. great news, but it will probably make it harder to release the film . . .

my guess is that BushCo -- both the federal and state branches -- will lean HARD on Disney not to make a deal with the Weinsteins and to keep the film in their control . . . don't forget that BushCo plays hardball, Disney owns the film, and if they decide not to sell the rights, there probably isn't a hell of a lot Moore or the Weinsteins can do about it . . . I believe they'd rather take the flack that will follow than allow the American people to see this before the election . . . jmho . . .

[mia]

13. maybe the legal wheels are already turning

Could Miramax renig?


Deal reached to distribute new Moore film


..."We are very happy that Disney has agreed to sell Fahrenheit 9/11 to Bob and Harvey (Weinstein, the co-heads of Miramax)," Miramax spokesman Matthew Hiltzik said in a statement.

Miramax had the rights to distribute the film outside North America.

Under Wednesday's deal, the Weinsteins buy the North American distribution rights from Disney and then find an actual distributor for the film.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

15. Agreed. They could have just as easily used the term, "expose".

So much for that damned "liberal" media...hunh?

Light is beginning to shine through the wall of corporate Repuke fascism.

JB

[liveoaktx]

16. What's the holdup with Miramax getting the rights to the pic from Disney?

Did Disney jack up the price to try to thwart the buyout?

[Eric J in MN]

17. Disney keeps asking for more money (nt)

nt

[daleo]

20. In a way, this makes sense

After winning the Cannes, the distribution rights should be worth more money. The kicker will be if they set the bar so high that they effectively stifle its distribution or at least its distribution before September or so - if this happens then you can be sure that there were orders to stop it from being seen, regardless of the cost to Disney.

[acmavm]

18. Well since Disney won't sell the rights back to Miramax, why doesn't

someone start an e-mail campaign to tell Disney that we will not watch one more of their movies, buy anymore of their crap (including the candy & stuff with Disney characters on them which they license to companies), no more Disney Channel, no more anything connected with Disney. Either let go of the movie, or lose a lot of financial supporters.

[Tuttle]

19. My guess is that Moore would put it out on the internet

if he can't get Yankee pigs (mice) to distribute it.

Way to go Michael!

Tut-tut

[goclark]

21. What is the website for Disney

I won't buy ANYTHING that even looks like a Disney Mouse if they don't let me see that film by July!

[goclark]

22. Can he do that without their approval?

[mia]

23. looks like the owners of the film have a strategy.

Miramax Bosses Seek Complex 'Fahrenheit' Deal

By Ian Mohr
CANNES (Hollywood Reporter) - In the wake of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" world premiere Monday, a new drama is developing behind the scenes as Miramax chiefs Harvey and Bob Weinstein set about locking down a new distributor for the film, which their Disney parent has forbidden them from releasing.

According to sources close to the wheeling and dealing, the pact the Miramax co-chairmen are seeking is a complex one that could very well include multiple parties in an effort to split up theatrical, home video/DVD and TV rights.

That strategy could work for Moore and the Weinsteins in several ways...

[Ricdude]

25. As soon as it's released anywhere, it'll be available via internet...

That doesn't mean it'll be seen by the masses, or gain any advertising in the "coming soon" boxes at your local megaplex.