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.

[NRA2BFree]

Oh my, Looks like Mikey's been grazing at McDonalds. LOL!

[Howlin]

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.

Ah, life is good.

[fight_truth_decay]

The guy wouldn't know the truth if it slapped him on his big fat assssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

[Arkinsaw]

Just a lying liar of the media telling lies for profit.

[ZGuy]

BTTT

[finnman69]

And Matt Drudge fell for it hook line and sinker

[ride the whirlwind]

Matt the Hat seems to do that now and then doesn't he?
P.S. I'm a Finn too. :-)

[thackney]

If he was interested in honesty and truthful portrayal, he wouldn't be making the movie.

[Lockbar]

What? You mean he is a lying sack of S--T?????

[bigghurtt]

I stand corrected.

and I thought it was just an Arkansas word.

[MJM59]

At least he did not expose is breast on TV.... Wow! I just grossed myself out.

[freeangel]

for later read

[mware]

Front page hit piece today followed by a one line blurb in corrections tomorrow.

[dead]

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.

Lumpy Riefenstahl managed to dupe the NYTimes.

Join the club.

[mware]

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.

So the NYTimes did not check with Disney to confirm the story before they read it.

They must be getting their degrees in journalism from a CrackerJacks box now of days.

[MotleyGirl70]

LOL!!!!!!!! Nice way ruin dinner!

[MotleyGirl70]

Michael Moore is a big fat liberal turd.

[hattend]

bttt

[Psycho_Bunny]

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

That's the most telling line in the article. 

It's one thing to lie to your enemies but in a credible social-structure, a leader who tells lies to his followers to manipulate them into action is left without credible followers.

Not that I think he ever had any. 

Still, there is no lie worse than a lie of manipulation: a white-lie is manslaughter.  A manipulative lie is a serial killer.

[Rocky]

Gad! That is a disgusting picture. Michael (Jabba the Hutt) Moore models his new line of one-size-fits-all pants, which will be prominently featured in his new film. Next year, his clothing designer plans to design a matching shirt. Until then, the "red" states have banned all personal appearances.