Posted on 07/30/2004 3:58:45 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
WASHINGTON — Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” might not be playing on overseas bases anytime soon, but AAFES promised Wednesday it’s doing its best to acquire copies of the film.
Spokesman Judd Anstey said that “the status is unchanged” from four weeks ago, when AAFES said that the only factor in getting a movie is its popularity, and that the controversy surrounding Fahrenheit 9/11 would not affect the decision.
A source at the Navy Motion Picture Service, who wished to remain anonymous, said the Navy had not yet made a decision as to whether to pursue the film for overseas and shipboard showings.
Anstey said that with it being a documentary, there just aren’t enough prints to go around at the moment, a sign perhaps that its popularity in the United States might result in even longer waits for servicemembers overseas.
In just over five weeks, the movie has grossed more than $103 million in the United States and is by far the highest-grossing documentary of all time, besting “Bowling for Columbine,” another Moore documentary, which took in just over $21 million.
Anstey said that a film like Will Smith’s “I, Robot,” is already playing at overseas theaters not because AAFES pursued it, but because distributors have plenty of prints and are saturating the market.
He drew a comparison to Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” which also had a smaller print run than standard Hollywood fare, but which has grossed $370 million since February.
“With ‘The Passion,’ it took us two months to get that into overseas theaters,” Anstey said. “We’re at five weeks now [that “Fahrenheit 9/11 has been out].”
For servicemembers venturing off base to see the film, the movie opened last week in Korean theaters throughout the country; it is slated to open in Japan in late August. It has opened in England and Spain, is scheduled to open in Germany this week and in Italy in late August.
In Crawford, Texas, where President Bush is vacationing, Moore set up a 9 p.m. showing Wednesday night.
The Crawford Peace House asked Moore for a copy of his film “Fahrenheit 9/11” when it appeared that no movie theater in the president’s home county would show the anti-Bush documentary.
Organizers expect about 1,000 people to attend.
Crawford’s police chief, Donnie Tidmore, said some residents of the community 20 miles west of Waco planned to demonstrate against the movie.
“I personally think we’re just a little town, and it’s kind of an invasion in our small town,” said Fran Shelton, whose family owns the Crawford Coffee Station. “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but I’d be happier if he didn’t bring it to Crawford.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The better have back up screens because there will likely be holes in the ones that show this garbage. Not that I think too many military personnel will actually go see it...
This is insane. Why would they try to pay for a movie that denigrates our military?
Frankly if they show this on post/base I would be curious to see the numbers. Of course you have to realize when they have no transportation the theater becomes the hot ticket in town. It is quite cheap as well.
Tokyo Rose...
...brought to you this evening by AAFES.
Excellent point. But I do think showing this on a post might feed into Moore.
I mean some of these folks are young, just getting started in politics.
They may only see this movie as entertainment and not lies of an unkept man (has he ever washed that jacket, pants or cap)?
Gen. Kathryn Frost, AAFES commander is Rep. Martin Frost's(D-TX) wife.. It would be interesting to see how much input she had in this decision..
Wonder if Mikey Moore would object to the obvious irony of an audience that stands for the "Star-Spangled Banner" being played just before his film is shown?
MG Frost is Army. Like you, I'm concerned about the demoralizing aspect of this POS.
Unfortunately, the Stars & Stripes and AAFES are not conservative, although they serve a military community largely so. Hopefully, it will be poorly attended, and maybe even boycotted.
Court martials all around if they show this seditious film to troops who are in theater.
A non- event. Most soldiers have access to it by other means besides AAFES theaters. By the time it is picked up and distributed, the buzz on the movie will have passed and those in uniform that wish to see it will have already. I wouldn't worry too much about the movie affecting soldiers' attitudes either (other than pissing them off). There's more logical critical thinking going on between privates and specialists in the typical barracks than you'll find in Kerry Campaign HQs. It's not hard for someone armed with those skills to see through Moore's propoganda piece.
You're right, I keep judging them by those "sweet baby faces" when I pass through the gates. :-) I should know better.
Who knows, perhaps it will be a big boost for the Bush vote.
I'd suggest "Moonraker", because even though it was stupid, the lead actress was hot. Oh, wait... Nevermind.
This might actually be a good thing.
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