Chekhov's Mistress
Disney Blocking Film Critical of Bush
Disney, Michael Moore, Fahrenheit 9/11, Miramax, Weinstein stepping up to the plate
The New York Times reported today that Disney is blocking Michael Moore’s film “Fahrenheit 9/11” because it would alienate their customers. That explanation falls flat because I don’t see how the families that are Disney’s customers are going to associate a film distributed by Miramax (owned by Disney) as being part of the line of Disney products. It appears hypocritical too, that Disney would not think that a film such as “Kill Bill” would alienate any customers withits extreme violence, but this film would, because it is political.
There is speculation that Disney said that they were doing so because they didn’t want to jeopardize their tax breaks in Florida, where Jeb Bush is the Governor. The company denies this, yet Mr. Moore’s agent is adamant that that was what he was told by a company executive. True, or not? Who knows. It’s one person’s word against another and I don’t think this claim should cloud the issue. My guess is that even if the conversation didn’t take place, it’s not far from the truth anyway; Disney would not want to upset the powers in the White House.
One issue is that a major corporation is blocking a film from being distributed through their subsidiary. Disney has a right not to distribute this film, but Disney customers who believe that all voices have a right to be heard also have a right not to buy Disney products. I doubt that will happen – consumerism always wins in this country, and the conglomeration of companies that Disney owns make up so many products it would be a difficult feat to boycott them. They own ABC Television and Radio, Radio Disney, Touchstone, BuenaVista Productions, and Cable Networks such as ESPN, Disney Channel andDisney Channel Int’l, Toon Disney and SoapNet; Studio Entertainment;Parks and Resorts; Consumer Products; Walt Disney Internet Group,including the ABC brand, the Disney and Family brands, ESPN.com,Movies.com, Mr. Showbiz and Wall of Sound.
So can you blame Disney? To be clear, I find Disney’s decision outrageous, but if I was a rich media mogul, I would probably do the same. Moore will find another distributor. It may cost him money, but if he is true to the beliefs he espouses, this film will see the light of day (or is that the dark of theater).
I think it is Harvey Weinstein that should step up the plate. He’s a big Dem donor and was reportedly eager to distribute this film when Icon, Mel Gibson’s company, dropped it. Had he not sold out to Disney in the first place he would have had the independence to put the film out. Other reports say that he wants out of the Disney empire. So why not take this opportunity to do what’s right, Mr. Wienstein?
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About this Post
- Posted by: Bud Parr
- Date: May 05, 2004
- Filed Under:
Culture - Filed Under:
Dismal/Dismaler: Econ/Politics
- Comments:0
- Links to this Post: Technorati
