Monday, May 10, 2004
Movie censorship in the USA
On May 5th I received an e-mail from the Michael Moore mailing list saying: "Disney Has Blocked the Distribution of My New Film"
The reason? According to the New York Times, it 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 Moore states some people may be afraid of this movie because of what it will show. But there's nothing they can do about it now because it's done, it's awesome, and if I have anything to say about it, you'll see it this summer -- because, after all, it is a free country.
In a comment, the New York Times nominates the Walt Disney Company for a gold medal for cowardice.
Michael Moore explains the contacts and contracts with Disney on his own website. You can also decide to join his mailing list there.
Comments-[ comments.]
On May 5th I received an e-mail from the Michael Moore mailing list saying: "Disney Has Blocked the Distribution of My New Film"
The reason? According to the New York Times, it 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 Moore states some people may be afraid of this movie because of what it will show. But there's nothing they can do about it now because it's done, it's awesome, and if I have anything to say about it, you'll see it this summer -- because, after all, it is a free country.
In a comment, the New York Times nominates the Walt Disney Company for a gold medal for cowardice.
A company that ought to be championing free expression has instead chosen to censor a documentary that clearly falls within the bounds of acceptable political commentary.
The film, "Fahrenheit 9/11," links the Bush family with prominent Saudis, including the family of Osama bin Laden. It describes financial ties that go back three decades and explores the role of the government in evacuating relatives of Mr. bin Laden from the United States shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The film was financed by Miramax and was expected to be released this summer.
Michael Eisner, Disney's chief executive, had expressed concern that the film might jeopardize tax breaks granted to Disney for its theme park, hotels and other ventures in Florida, where Jeb Bush is governor. If that is the reason for Disney's move, it would underscore the dangers of allowing huge conglomerates to gobble up diverse media companies.
On the other hand, a senior Disney executive says the real reason is that Disney caters to families of all political stripes and that many of them might be alienated by the film. Those families, of course, would not have to watch the documentary.
It is hard to say which rationale for blocking distribution is more depressing. But it is clear that Disney loves its bottom line more than the freedom of political discourse.
Michael Moore explains the contacts and contracts with Disney on his own website. You can also decide to join his mailing list there.
