Michael Moore admits Disney 'ban' was a stunt

The New Zealand Herald ^ | May 7, 2004 | ANDREW GUMBEL

[ride the whirlwind]

Less than 24 hours after accusing the Walt Disney Company of pulling the plug on his latest documentary in a blatant attempt at political censorship, the rabble-rousing film-maker Michael Moore has admitted he knew a year ago that Disney had no intention of distributing it.

The admission, during an interview with CNN, undermined Moore's claim that Disney was trying to sabotage the US release of Fahrenheit 911 just days before its world premiere at the Cannes film festival.

Instead, it lent credence to a growing suspicion that Moore was manufacturing a controversy to help publicise the film, a full-bore attack on the Bush administration and its handling of national security since the attacks of 11 September 2001.

In an indignant letter to his supporters, Moore said he had learnt only on Monday that Disney had put the kibosh on distributing the film, which has been financed by the semi-independent Disney subsidiary Miramax.

But in the CNN interview he said: "Almost a year ago, after we'd started making the film, the chairman of Disney, Michael Eisner, told my agent he was upset Miramax had made the film and he will not distribute it."

Nobody in Hollywood doubts Fahrenheit 911 will find a US distributor. His last documentary, Bowling for Columbine, made for US$3m pulled in US$22m at the US box office.

But Moore's publicity stunt, if that is what is, appears to be working.

A front-page news piece in The New York Times was followed yesterday by an editorial denouncing Disney for censorship and denial of Moore's right to free expression.

Moore told CNN that Disney had "signed a contract to distribute this [film]" but got cold feet. But Disney executives insists there was never any contract. And a source close to Miramax said that the only deal there was for financing, not for distribution.

[ride the whirlwind]

More on Moron Moore.

[jla]

No surprise here, typical liberal...utterly without scruples.

[johniegrad]

Not possible. Not the director of famous documentaries. He deals only in fact, not fiction. His face simply screams honesty. He is like most attorneys, fighting for us, the little guy. Not possible that he would look for publicity at the expense of Joe six pack.

[DoughtyOne]

Disney should take that mo/fo to court for pulling this stunt. I'm not a big fan of Disney, but Moore is a bottom feeding skank. Disney should own every dime of this movies profit before this is done.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Please FReepmail me if you want on/off this ping list.

[Paul Atreides]

A front-page news piece in The New York Times was followed yesterday by an editorial denouncing Disney for censorship and denial of Moore's right to free expression.

How are they censoring the pig? If he wants to peddle his trash, let him use his own money. A certain guy, who made a controversial movie, had to do the same.

[ride the whirlwind]

That would be sweet.

[FreedomCalls]

[MinuteGal]

Hah, the NYT got suckered again.

Yep, the Old Grey Lady really tightened up her corset after the Jason Blair incident, didn't she?

Leni

[DoughtyOne]

So true.

[kittymyrib]

And no surprise that the Old Gullible Geezer, the NYT, would editorialize over this stunt. Pathetic.

[johniegrad]

They are pathetic. I would accuse them of being slow learners if their agenda wasn't to misrepresent the truth anyway.

[DoughtyOne]

I had heard that he'd lost weight. He is looking better.

Heh heh heh...

[Paul Atreides]

Remember, when the pus-bag pitched a whining fit because he thought that the Best Documentary Oscar would be awarded to someone else?

[dalebert]

Someone needs to stop this guy. He is making money on the misery of others and is a liar to booty. He also said he had someone inside Iraq who was giving him information. I think he gets most of his information from little green men.

[tioga]

They printed a pathetic lie, what's it to them. Liberals will still buy their rag, why bother with truth?

[ride the whirlwind]

Someone inside Iraq you say?

[freekitty]

He is such scum.