Posted on 08/02/2004 5:00:24 PM PDT by BushisTheMan
Moore's film has sparked controversy across the world Kuwait has banned Michael Moore's controversial documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, calling the film insulting to the Saudi Arabian royal family.
Authorities in Kuwait, a US ally, also objected to the film's criticism of America's invasion of Iraq.
"We have a law that prohibits insulting friendly nations," said Abdul-Aziz Bou Dastour of the Information Ministry.
The controversy over Fahrenheit 9/11 has helped it break box office records for a documentary.
The film, which won the Cannes Film Festival, was the first documentary to make $100m (£54.5m) in North America.
It criticises President George Bush for being unprepared for the 11 September attacks and using propaganda to gain public support.
The Saudi royal family also features, along with claims that Saudi nationals were allowed to flee the US in the aftermath of 11 September despite the country's airspace being closed.
'Failed research'
Abdul-Aziz Bou Dastour said the film "insulted the Saudi royal family by saying they had common interests with the Bush family and that those interests contradicted with the interests of the American people".
He added: "The movie made Iraq look like a paradise whose problems started with the American invasion. It would have angered Kuwaitis."
Prince Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to London, has said Moore failed to carry out proper research for the documentary.
He said the film "criticised America's policy on invading Iraq and this was tantamount to criticizing Kuwait for [what it did] to liberate Iraq".
The state-owned Kuwait National Cinema Co had applied for a license to show Fahrenheit 9/11 but its request was turned down by government censors.
It is showing in other Middle Eastern countries including the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.
Meanwhile, a US newspaper is seeking a token $1 in damages from Michael Moore and the film's distributor, Lion's Gate, for allegedly doctoring its front page for the documentary.
The Pantagraph newspaper, based in Bloomington, Illinois, said the film included a shot showing a front page headline "Latest Florida recount shows Gore won the election" that never actually appeared on page one.
It said the headline only appeared in much smaller type on the letters page which reflects "only the opinions of the letter writer".
"If [Moore] wants to 'edit' The Pantagraph, he should apply for a copy-editing job," the paper said.
Something that should have been done in the states.
Note to self...add Kuwait to the vacation list after Poland.
Some Allies never forget what we do for them... The Kuwaitis just got bumped up a notch in my book...
Kuwait used to be a vacation spot for the very rich. There are beaches and nightclubs & was apparently a cool place to visit....not sure that is still true today.
They are not cheese eating surrender monkeys are they?
If there are any Kuwaiti Freeprs or lurkers, please send my thanks to your country.
Oh what the heck, why not make it $2 while you're at it?
Good news for now allowing lies to propagate. Thank you, Kuwait
News said $1 million this morning.
Good for Kuwait!
A few of my lib co-workers went to see this trash of a mockumentary, and were just glowing with praise for it. I chose not to comment, as I've found it does little good. They consider themselves to be film "experts", if that's the right word.
I myself went to see the movie called America's Heart and Soul, and found it to be very uplifting, although I did want to stand up and give a big raspberry to the Ben & Jerry's guy who was in it ...PFTHTHTHTFTTTHTHPHT!
The good people of Kuwait have spoken. Up yours, Michael Mooreon.
Unlike the French, the Kuwaitis remember who their friends are. And, unlike the French, the Kuwaitis are our friends.
I lived there for over 5 years Building Patrol boats,They for the most part speak American English and have views in line with this forum..In short MM will not fly there Bush 41 is a National Hero aside from the Emir giving him Kuwaiti citizenship..
I sure hope "now" = "not" Either that, or you forgot your sarcasm tag.
OOps...yes, "now"="not". Sorry.
Don't apologize. I'm not the grammar police. It just stuck out. :D
So let's see, we have Hezbollah helping to distribute Moore's film vs Kuwait banning it.
Now, I'm not in favour of restricting free speech in such a manner, but it is interesting to see how American's enemies and friends, respectively, line up on the film...
Peter, we need the oil, we watch their back. In the backrooms, the pajama party goes on.
They happen to be a bit more like the west but thats all.
You can dress a monkey in silk, but he will still be a monkey. :)
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