Moore's Film Spreads Its Earnings

Everyone is buzzing about Michael Moore's controversial documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11," which sold a whopping $35 million worth of tickets within only six days of it's release, according to the Associated Press. Ed Bradley of Moore's hometown newspaper, The Flint Journal, cites that Moore expects "Fahrenheit 9/11" to double the gross for his 2002 film, "Bowling for Columbine," which held the box office record for documentaries at $21.5 million. The news of the film's success is thrilling for Moore's fan club, liberal politics and the charities that stand to receive a substantial percentage of the film's earnings.

The donation was made possible by a dispute between Disney and the Weinstein brothers when Disney refused to sell the film to the Weinsteins unless they promised that they would not financially benefit from the film outside of their employment agreement, (which according to Associated Press "is still a lot of money"). While the "Weinsteins typically pocket about 40 percent of the net profit from any Miramax picture, after the cost of distribution, prints and advertising and talent participations are deducted," Disney has insisted that the lingering 60 percent of earnings go to the charity or charities of its choice, according to the Associated Press.

Although the charity or charities that will receive 60 percent of the film's net profits have yet to be named, one can only predict that somewhere in the near future, the charity(ies) will be granted a sizeable check. Clearly, the deal was not especially great for the Weinsteins, but their corporation sped up the process of the movie's release and they will receive a sizable check of their own in the future. According to the Associated Press, a Disney spokeswoman says no charities have been approached, as it isn't yet clear how much money will be available.

A press release sent out after it was announced that the film was being sold to the Weinsteins simply said, "Any monetary benefit to Miramax or its parent company, The Walt Disney Company, as a result of the film's distribution, will be donated to charity."

While some critics believe the release of Spiderman, which according to USA Today made $40.5 million, on Wednesday, alone. The Flint Journal believes it's possible that "Fahrenheit 9/11" will make $100 million domestically. Regardless of mainstream summer Blockbusters, "Fahrenheit 9/11" stands to change independent film records and the way in which documentary films are marketed and accepted by the media and society. That is, if only someone would go to see the movie.