AKA
05-13-2003, 11:45 AM
Miramax to Back Michael Moore's Film on Sept. 11
Reuters
LOS ANGELES - Oscar-winning documentarian Michael Moore has found backing for a film about the Sept. 11 attacks that criticizes President Bush from Walt Disney Co.'s Miramax Film Corp., a source familiar with the deal said on Monday.
"Fahrenheit 911," which refers to the date of the hijackings and "Fahrenheit 451," Ray Bradbury's dystopian tale of book burning, will look at the United States in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 and alleged links between the families of Bush and Osama bin Laden, the Muslim militant accused of coordinating the hijackings on that date.
Moore used the "Fahrenheit 911" title for a February 2002 e-mail to fans in which he said publisher HarperCollins, which is owned by News Corp. Ltd., hesitated in the aftermath of the hijackings to publish his book, "Stupid White Men," because of its criticism of Bush.
In March, Moore used his acceptance speech for an Academy Award for his previous film, "Bowling for Columbine" as an opportunity to criticize Bush, whom he called a "fictitious president."
Miramax took over after actor Mel Gibson's Icon Productions withdrew backing for the production, the source said.
Miramax will provide a few million dollars in temporary "bridge" funding, which offers the studio less risk and a lower return than longer-term financing, the source said.
Reuters
LOS ANGELES - Oscar-winning documentarian Michael Moore has found backing for a film about the Sept. 11 attacks that criticizes President Bush from Walt Disney Co.'s Miramax Film Corp., a source familiar with the deal said on Monday.
"Fahrenheit 911," which refers to the date of the hijackings and "Fahrenheit 451," Ray Bradbury's dystopian tale of book burning, will look at the United States in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 and alleged links between the families of Bush and Osama bin Laden, the Muslim militant accused of coordinating the hijackings on that date.
Moore used the "Fahrenheit 911" title for a February 2002 e-mail to fans in which he said publisher HarperCollins, which is owned by News Corp. Ltd., hesitated in the aftermath of the hijackings to publish his book, "Stupid White Men," because of its criticism of Bush.
In March, Moore used his acceptance speech for an Academy Award for his previous film, "Bowling for Columbine" as an opportunity to criticize Bush, whom he called a "fictitious president."
Miramax took over after actor Mel Gibson's Icon Productions withdrew backing for the production, the source said.
Miramax will provide a few million dollars in temporary "bridge" funding, which offers the studio less risk and a lower return than longer-term financing, the source said.