Say No Moore

Michael Moore's follow-up to Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 911, is causing a storm of controversy weeks before its premiere in Cannes. Disney chiefs are moving to ban their subsidiary Miramax from distributing the film in North America, and despite ongoing negotiations have indicated that they are unwilling to budge an inch. Fahrenheit 911, "The Temperature Where Freedom Burns", focuses on events in the run up to and aftermath of September 11, and makes controversial links between the Bush and Bin Laden families. For obvious reasons, it is something of a political hot potato, not least because this is an election year for President Bush. Disney has said that distributing the film was against company interests because it would alienate people of certain political beliefs, and invoked a contractual veto over distribution rights. Miramax are still handling the world premiere of the film in Cannes, and distribution rights to other countries have already been sold (so don't worry, we Brits will still get to see it), but this may prevent the film from getting a wide release in the US in time for the elections. A Miramax spokesman mooted the idea of a shared distribution deal, whereby another company would handle the physical distribution while Miramax marketed the film, but this will significantly cut into their profits, and Miramax are still hoping to persuade Disney to go for a summer release. Michael Moore, as outspoken as ever, said of the decision, "Should this be happening in a free and open society where the monied interests essentially call the shots regarding the information that the public is allowed to see?"