'Fahrenheit 9/11' to be released this month
"Fahrenheit 9/11," the controversial documentary by Michael Moore that was dumped by Disney only to receive a 15-minute standing ovation and to win the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, will be coming to a theater near you on June 25.
In a highly unusual arrangement, three entities will combine forces to release the film, which mounts a vigorous and satiric case against President Bush for his actions before and after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
Two of the companies,
The third, the Fellowship Adventure Group, was set up by Miramax heads Harvey and Bob Weinstein for the express purpose of rolling out "Fahrenheit" after Miramax parent company
The Weinsteins subsequently bought the rights back from Disney and set up Fellowship with their own money, enjoining all Miramax employees from working on the release.
Thus the participation of Lions Gate and IFC, who normally function as rivals to Miramax but who are in this case contributing financing and personnel to get the film to theaters and to publicize it in a scant three weeks.
The Weinsteins announced that other independent film companies may yet join in to help distribute the film.
Said Moore: "With Frodo [Harvey] and Sam [Bob] now in charge of the Fellowship, I welcome the addition of Lions Gate and IFC to our quest in bringing good family entertainment to the viewing public."
Moore said he expects the film to open on a "record" number of screens across the country. Local theaters have not yet been announced.
