Moore's Film is Blocked by Disney
MIchael Moore claims his film is stopped by Disney and Disney counters back.
Walt Disney Co. has accused Michael Moore of purposely causing a stir about its refusal to distribute his new anti-Bush film Fahrenheit 911.
The firm claims that Moore had only brought up this issue now to increase the publicity of his movie ahead of its debut screening next week at the Cannes Film Festival.
A Disney spokesman said: "We advised both Moore's agent and Miramax in May of 2003 that the film would not be distributed. That decision stands." Disney bought Miramax ten years ago and as part of the deal has the rights to prevent distribution of films it feels are not in its best interest.
According to the New York Times, Disney felt that the film might "endanger" millions of dollars of tax breaks Disney receives from the state of Florida because the film will "anger" the Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush.
Michael Eisner, CEO of Disney called Moore's actions "a PR stunt". He added that the report that distribution was stopped because of the loss of tax breaks in Florida were "ridiculous".
"None of that was ever discussed," he said. "It is totally not true."
Fahrenheit 911 shows ties between President Bush's family and to that of Osama bin Laden. It is also critical of Bush's actions over the September 11 attacks.
