Weinsteins Buy 'Fahrenheit 9/11' from Disney OFFICIAL

[Rosco T.]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=638&u=/nm/20040528/en_nm/leisure_fahrenheit911_dc&printer=1

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Miramax film studio founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein have personally acquired rights to Michael Moore (news)'s documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" from Walt Disney Co., after Disney, which owns Miramax, declined to distribute it, Disney said on Friday.

(snip)

After more than a week of talks, the Weinsteins have bought rights to the film, estimated to have cost about $6 million, and will arrange for its theatrical and home video distribution.

(snip)

Moore, who criticizes President Bush (news - web sites) and the war on Iraq (news - web sites) in the film, said on May 5 that Disney had refused to distribute the picture.

[tom_paine]

1. Hurrah! I can't WAIT to see it!

[ceile]

2. Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!

I was getting a little worried there.:bounce: :toast:

[Beetwasher]

3. Is It Going to be shown in theatres?

Or over the internet?

What was the deal with that story that Moore was going to release it online?

[mark0rama]

15. online release story...

...appears to be a hoax. Sorry, I have no link handy to help confirm or deny.

[bluestateguy]

4. Good, but I have one concern

I think this is terrific, but I have one concern. Where will the movie air. What if a lot of major corporate chains refuse to pick it up? I would be especially concerned about this is very conservative parts of the country, where movie theaters may refuse to show the film. When "The Last Temptation of Christ" cam out movie theaters in the rural south and Mountain West refused to show it. My concern is the movie will only be availible in those parts of the country already predisposed to hate Baby Bush. The people who need to see it won't be able to.

[Massacure]

7. It has a lot of publicity

Even if the major chains don't show it, the smaller ones will, and they will get all the business.

I really don't think they would want to give up the business.

[Kazak]

10. Yeah, I hear ya...

I think Bowling For Columbine showed here in Oklahoma for like two freaking days or something like that. My church (UU) had to sponser a three night showing of it just so people here could see it. MM did come to OU to promote the film though. Got to meet him and have him sign my copy of SWM...really great guy.

[Qutzupalotl]

14. With any luck, it'll be out on DVD

right around October. :evilgrin:

[Jackpine Radical]

21. I hope it gets shown all over the country,

but even if it shows nowhere in TX, that won't matter much. Just as long as it plays big in the "swing states." PA, WI, MN, LA, OH, etc. And it WILL be shown in those states 'cause a lot of people will demand to see it there. Any theatert owner that didn't show it in those states would be cutting his own economic throat.

[Shakespeare]

27. I think money will trump politics.

I think it'll be widely shown.

[Kid_A]

5. Do you think they'll release it right away to maximize their profits...

or will they wait until right before the election, where the film can hopefully give some people the punch in the face that they need to change their vote?

[cheezus]

22. theatrical release in summer, on DVD before the election

which I think is good, because more people will be apt to rent (or get drug to a showing of) than go to the theatre

btw - not positive about that

[AntiCoup2K4]

24. Moore's apparent plan of a July 4th release date is a good one....

Given the wide speculation that an "October Surprise" is already planned, there's no way they could take the chance of releasing this movie at the last minute, and risk it not being seen with people stuck in their homes either by martial law or pure fear.

[President Jesus]

6. Weinstein Bros. are true-blue Democrats

They have, and continue to, serve the cause well.

Campaign contributions
Harvey Weinstein
Bob Weinstein

[Beetwasher]

8. Indeed they Are!

n/t

[wicket]

9. God bless them!

This is awesome!!!!@ I can't WAIT to see the movie! :)

[Sophree]

11. And now have made themselves even more WEALTHY.

Smart move by them, DUMB, DUMB move by Disney.

[w4rma]

17. Probably not a dumb move by Disney, because Disney can be hit *elsewhere*

in profits by right-wingers withholding their buisness. The Weinsteins can't really be hit elsewhere in profits. Imho, they will likely make a lot of money off of this movie, with miniscule or no reprecussions. :)

[Shakespeare]

28. Disney still gets a cut - not dumb, just hypocritical. n/t

[kaitykaity]

12. The lines will go around the block

when this thing opens.

I'm sure the corporate chains will say "no, no, no" and
it'll have to be shown in small, local theaters.

Oh, fun.

[Fleshdancer]

13. I plan on seeing it and buying the DVD when it comes out

Never have I wanted a film to do so well as this one.

[Gothmog]

16. I am looking forward to seeing this movie

I had no doubt that Disney would end up selling it to the Weinsteins or to another party. The film was going to be distributed in some fashion. There has been a great deal of good press for the film and so I expect that it will do very well.

[ronnykmarshall]

19. Me too!

and hope some fucking freeper show up. But considering where I am (L.A.) it won't happen.

My parents said they're gonna see it. I'm sure the freepers in Bakersfield will be shitting their pampers when it plays there.

[in_cog_ni_to]

18. Do we know when it will air ???

I'd like to see it run over the July 4TH weekend and then bring it back for a replay in October. ;)

[MsUnderstood]

20. The michaelmoore website

States that he wants to release it around July 4.

I've also heard that the DVD release is planned for October (just in time).

What they need to do is have a special Double feature screening with this film first and the film "Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election (2003)" second.

It will certainly send the bushies packing if we get these films OUT!

[Eric J in MN]

29. I hope they release it in July.

That way, people who aren't thrilled with Bush after watching it can watch the Democratic Convention and perhaps decide to vote for Kerry.

[ThomWV]

23. OutFuckingStanding

We'll finally get to see it.

[ronnykmarshall]

25. FarFuckingOut!

[hippiegranny]

26. so glad

i cannot WAIT to see this. i had a hard time thinking that a film that won cannes would not be distributed here, especially as it is so topical for US right here, right now. hooray for the weinsteins! true american patriots.