Fahrenheit 9/11 proves US box office winner
Fahrenheit 9/11 filmmaker Michael Moore called the US opening weekend numbers for his documentary “mind-boggling” and credited his political opponents for boosting ticket sales.
“They’re all getting a Christmas card from me this year,” said Moore, who greeted filmgoers at a Manhattan theatre last night.
The film, an indictment of US President George Bush’s leadership and his decision to go to war in Iraq following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, took in $12.5m (€18.7m) in 868 theatres in its first three days of release.
It beat the total box office take of Moore’s 2002 film, Bowling for Columbine, which held the previous record for highest-grossing documentary.
Moore said that conservative groups helped draw attention and viewers to his latest film. He said the movie will convince “a lot of swing voters, independents and even Republicans”.
Moore said it sold out in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Peoria, Illinois, states that went to Bush in the 2000 presidential election.
