Disney blocks anti-Bush movie
A documentary by left-wing filmmaker Michael Moore which links President George Bush to the family of Osama bin Laden is being blocked by Disney, it emerged today.
Disney is stopping its Miramax division from distributing the film, Fahrenheit 911, which criticises Mr Bush’s policies before and after the September 11 terror attacks.
Moore’s agent, Ari Emanuel, said Disney chief executive Michael Eisner told him he feared that links to the movie could endanger tax breaks Disney receives for its theme park in Florida – where the president’s brother Jeb is governor.
Moore wrote the best-seller Stupid White Men, attacking right-wing politics in the US, and famously ranted against President Bush and the Iraq war at the 2003 Oscars.
“Shame on you, Mr Bush. Shame on you,” he shouted.
Fahrenheit 911 describes financial links between the Bush family and prominent Saudi Arabian families.
Moore said the documentary explores the Bush Administration’s role in the evacuation of relatives of bin Laden from the US after September 11.
It also includes comments from soldiers disillusioned with the war in Iraq, he said.
Disney bought Miramax more than a decade ago and has the right to block film distribution under certain circumstances.
Miramax, which drew criticism from conservatives when it financially backed the Moore film, has argued that the circumstances in this case do not entitle Disney to its veto.
Matthew Hiltzik, a spokesman for Miramax, said: “We’re discussing the issue with Disney. We’re looking at all of our options and look forward to resolving this amicably.”
However, there is the possibility that the case could go to mediation if an impasse is reached.
Mr Emanuel said: “(Michael Eisner) definitely indicated there were tax incentives he was getting for the Disney corporation and that’s why he didn’t want me to sell it to Miramax.
“He didn’t want a Disney company involved,” he told the New York Times.
Disney executives denied that tax breaks were the motivating factor.
Rather, they said, Disney catered to families of all political persuasions and the Moore documentary could alienate viewers.
Miramax boss, Harvey Weinstein, meanwhile, is a big donor to the Democrats.
Moore’s film will be presented at the Cannes film festival later this month. No release date has yet been set.
He said: “At some point the question has to be asked: ’Should this be happening in a free and open society where the monied interests essentially call the shots regarding the information that the public is allowed to see?'”
He accepted that Fahrenheit 911 was partisan, but added: “If this is partisan in any way it is partisan on the side of the poor and working people in this country who provide fodder for this war machine.”
Moore’s last movie, Bowling for Columbine, took about €18.1m in the US for United Artists.
