Artist: Michael Moore
Confronting Bodies: Walt Disney Company
Date of Action: May 2004
Specific Location: United States
Description of Artwork: Michael Moore's latest documentary, "Fahrenheit 911," explores links between the Bush family, Osama bin Laden and the Saudi monarchy. His films are known for their intensely leftist political agenda.
Description of Incident: In early May, 2004, the Walt Disney Company announced that it will block its subsidiary, Miramax, from distributing Moore's latest film. Disney has declared that, being a family oriented entertainment company, it does not want to be associated with a film that has such strong, partisan political intentions. Some believe that Disney fears it will lose tax breaks from the state of Florida, under the governorship of Jeb Bush. Conservatives criticized Disney in May 2003, when it announced that Miramax would distribute the film.
Results of Incident: "Fahrenheit 911" will premier at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2004 and was scheduled to screen in the United States this summer. The distribution rights for the film will likely go into mediation.
Source: The New York Times, 5/05/2004
Submitted By: NCAC