Michael Moore and wife Kathleen Glynn (photo: Oscar.com)
Posted on 06/04/2004 12:27:12 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
Edited on 06/04/2004 12:27:49 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Author Ray Bradbury has ripped into filmmaker Michael Moore for using the title "Fahrenheit 9/11" for his new Bush-bashing movie, an obvious takeoff on the 84-year-old's science-fiction classic "Fahrenheit 451."
Judging by an interview with the author conducted by the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter, Bradbury is steamed.
"Michael Moore is a screwed a--hole, that is what I think about that case," Bradbury said according to an English translation of the story. "He stole my title and changed the numbers without ever asking me for permission."
Continued the author: "[Moore] is a horrible human being – horrible human!"
Michael Moore and wife Kathleen Glynn (photo: Oscar.com) |
When asked if he agrees with Moore's political positions, Bradbury replied, "That has nothing to do with it. He copied my title; that is what happened. That has nothing to do with my political opinions."
According to the Swedish daily, Bradbury said he had tried to discuss the issue with Moore several months ago, but that the director avoided him.
"I called his publisher. They promised he would call me the same afternoon, but he didn't," Bradbury is quoted as saying.
 Ray Bradbury |
The author also claimed Moore ruined Wesley Clark's chances of being president with a "kiss of death." When the filmmaker charged President Bush with reneging on his military service, Bradbury explained, the former general should have distanced himself.
"He slandered the president to General Clark, and Clark allowed him to do it," Bradbury said. "Clark should have said: 'Don't say that. It is not true.' That day Clark lost his chance to become president."
Bradbury dismissed any chance of the title being changed at this point:
"Who cares? Nobody will see his movie. It is almost dead already. Never mind, nobody cares."
Moore's film won the Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival last month and is scheduled to hit theaters on June 25.
Of the Cannes award, Bradbury told the paper: "I have won prizes in different places and they are mostly meaningless. The people there hate us, which is why they gave him the d'Or. It's a meaningless prize."
According to the report, Bradbury refused to say if he would take legal action against Moore.
Bradbury sounds a bit jealous.
How so?
I love Ray Bradbury.
WD I wonder if our favorite curmudgeon would be interested in this article too.
I repeat. "[Moore] is a horrible human being – horrible human!" and not only that but, "Who cares? Nobody will see his movie. It is almost dead already. Never mind, nobody cares."
I repeat. "[Moore] is a horrible human being – horrible human!" and not only that but, "Who cares? Nobody will see his movie. It is almost dead already. Never mind, nobody cares."
Some harsh words there. Really what was stolen here? The use of one word? More is getting the PR. Bradbury wants some limelight, cash or both.
No I disagree Ray Bradbury wants only what he is due, acknowledgement from Moore where he got his book tile from. It is called courtesy.
"....without ever asking me for permission"
Michael Moore could have called Ray and politely asked if it was ok. However given that Michael Moore (from his previous fictional/comedy /documentaries?) is proven to be a self serving liar I guess that was to much to expect.
In this case, a unique title idea, "Fahrenheit 451," was essentially plagiarized by Moore, since the mere substitution of a different number does not alter the fact that he is clearly copying somebody else's copyrighted work (the title is just as copyrighted as the text is). IMO, it's actionable but not worth pursuing. I think Bradbury is just responding to Moore's rudeness in not at least asking the author's permission.
what does Moore have that Bradbury would be jealous of? Jowls? Extra chins? Jowl/extra chin stubble?
The man is 84 years old and one of the greatest authors of all time and you think he wants attention or money? And he's going about it in a Swedish magazine of all places? I dunno about that...
Besides, the translation (of the article) sounds terrible and the title of Moore's film is, clearly, a riff on Bradbury's novel (and, I imagine, contextually Moore is implying a parallel between that literary work and his).
Further, if I was Bradbury, I'd be annoyed, too, if they said they'd call him and didn't.
I hope Bradbury doesn't come after us...It is great work!(disclamer)
What are you selling?
---I repeat. "[Moore] is a horrible human being – horrible human!" and not only that but, "Who cares? Nobody will see his movie. It is almost dead already. Never mind, nobody cares." ---
Bradbury has this situation down cold. There's not a big market for Moore's stupid lies in America.
Were you the freeper wondering what Ray Bradbury thought of Michael Moore? Here's the answer.
Bradbury: He's wonderful. We needed him. Clinton is a sh*thead and we're glad to be rid of him. And I'm not talking about his sexual exploits. I think we have a chance to do something about education, very important. We should have done it years ago. It doesn't matter who does it -- Democrats or Republicans -- but it's long overdue. Our education system is a monstrosity. We need to go back and rebuild kindergarten and first grade and teach reading and writing to everybody, all colors, and then the whole structure of our education will change because people will know how to read and write.
No. What are you selling? For money. What are you selling that belongs to Ray Bradbury?
You said you hoped he didn't come after you.
Bradbury should demand royalties from movie proceeds.
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