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Arabs Riveted and Angered by 'Fahrenheit'
The New York Times ^ | August 4, 2004 | NEIL MacFARQUHAR

Posted on 08/06/2004 10:58:01 AM PDT by presidio9

When it opened last weekend in Beirut, "Fahrenheit 9/11" achieved the almost impossible: It silenced a movie audience. Although Beirut is the one capital in the region where almost all American films are shown with no censorship, screenings are somewhat more social affairs than elsewhere in the world, with people chattering on their cellphones or with their friends in the audience.

But the unheard of happened during the initial showings of the film, Michael Moore's angry documentary about President Bush. A cellphone began ringing, and the rest of the audience hissed loudly that the owner should shut it off, prompting virtually all the people in the rapt theater to whip out their phones and silence them, too.

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Also unusual for an American documentary, the film is expected to receive wide play in the Arab world. It has already been in theaters for several weeks in the Persian Gulf, and censors in Syria and Egypt have approved the film, although no screenings have been scheduled in those countries.

A few critics have weighed in, arguing that Arabs should not be so gleeful about the movie's Bush bashing, given that the image of the region and its people that "Fahrenheit: 9/11" presents is not so positive.

Mamoun Fandy, an expert on Saudi Arabia based in Washington, wrote an op-ed article in Asharq Al Awsat, the Arabic newspaper in London, blasting the movie as racist and making faulty generalizations about Arabs, who, he argued, should not hail it as supporting their cause.

Kuwait barred the movie as offensive to its Saudi neighbors, and the Saudi ambassador to London, Prince Turki al-Faisal, was quoted in the London-based Arabic daily daily Al Hayat as saying the movie twisted the truth and was inadequately researched. (There are no movie theaters in Saudi Arabia, out of concern they would allow the forbidden mingling of the sexes, but the film is said to be widely circulated there via DVD.)

At the packed Beirut screenings many in the audience glued to the film said it showed them a way that America works with which they were unfamiliar. "What really struck me is how the American administration was able to manipulate the American people," said Leila Kanso, a 59-year-old social worker. "How can a government do that?"

Many said they wanted to know more about the reaction to the movie among Americans, who have bought more than $103 million in tickets.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Miscellaneous; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: arabworld; fahrenheit911
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To: Indie
In another time, not so long ago really..Mr Moore and Mr Kerry..along with their minions.. would no longer be alive, having been hung from the gallows in the public square long ago...

No question, or even today - if they DIDN'T enjoy the protection of the USA. But it's better this way. Free speech is better than no free speech.

The problem isn't Moore so much as people unwilling to oppose him, publicly. Let ideas reign. Let debate take place. You saw the shameful example of the Bush campaign, itself, from spokesman McClellan misstep and misspeak in calling for the cessation of airing the PCF vet's ad. Rather than cower before the leftwing 'mainstream', people must speak their minds, show up, speak up, confidently with fact and reason on their side. Reagan could, and did. Bush needs to continue his Reagan studies. Even Kerry is borrowing the 'better days ahead' theme, but wouldn't dare go any deeper. Bush needs to study. Don't show fear of the leftwing 'mainstream'. Show them that you know it's about over for them! (Maybe there are people reading even this that don't believe that)

21 posted on 08/06/2004 1:21:30 PM PDT by sevry
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To: presidio9
Many said they wanted to know more about the reaction to the movie among Americans, who have bought more than $103 million in tickets.

I wasn't surfing freerepublic as frequently when this movie first came out but did anyone else point out how amateurish and completely un-entertaining it was? Forget the fact that none of the facts stuck and it was biased, it still should of had some sort of 'entertainment value'. Even the socialist periodicals and liberal propaganda machines give me a chuckle...

22 posted on 08/06/2004 2:57:53 PM PDT by SerialRants (http://www.serialrants.com)
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To: ashtanga
I don't know, but they should. Thanks Mikey Moore! Thanks for helping to grow the hate of the ME toward this county! BTW, you will bear some responsibility when Americans are again killed.

Glad to be here, MOgirl
23 posted on 08/06/2004 3:02:46 PM PDT by MOgirl (In memory of Walton Wayne Callahan, I love you forever.)
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To: presidio9

Lord help me, I am really beginning to have hate in my heart for Moore.


24 posted on 08/06/2004 3:13:05 PM PDT by vpintheak (Our Liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain!)
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To: ChinaThreat

I wonder how many new recruits Al Quada will get thanks to this anti-American screed. Michael Moore is a traitor to his country. In a different (and better) time, this pig would have been charged with treason.


25 posted on 08/06/2004 3:29:55 PM PDT by nyconse
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To: presidio9

Arabs don't really care about facts. They are more interested in family and loyalty. So of course they are easily swept up by propaganda, especially the most hateful kind.


26 posted on 08/06/2004 3:33:30 PM PDT by xm177e2 (Stalinists, Maoists, Ba'athists, Pacifists: Why are they always on the same side?)
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To: nyconse

Or left hanging from a gallows pole....


27 posted on 08/06/2004 4:25:52 PM PDT by ChinaThreat
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To: nyconse
I agree. F-9/11 is the equivalent of yelling "fire" in a crowded movie theater. The authorities should ban it, as a disturbance of the public peace. And beyond this, Moore should be arrested.

As Barry Goldwater once said "extremism in the defense of liberty is not vice."

28 posted on 08/06/2004 7:58:35 PM PDT by Teplukin
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