Miramax in deal with Disney on Michael Moore's banned film critical of Bush

LOS ANGELES, (AFP) - Miramax Films says it has reached a deal allowing it to distribute a documentary critical of President George W. Bush, which its parent company Walt Disney Co. had blocked.


"We are very happy that Disney has agreed to sell 'Fahrenheit 911' to Bob and Harvey" Weinstein, presidents of Miramax, the studio said in a statement.

"Bob and Harvey are looking forward to promptly completing this transaction."

The film by director Michael Moore, criticizes Bush policies before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and alleges financial connections between the Bush family, its associates and prominent Saudi Arabian families, including that of Osama bin Laden.

Under the deal, Miramax will buy back the film and find a new distributor.

Disney refused to release the film in the United States before the November 2 presidential election, saying it was "a nonpartisan company."

An entry at this month's Cannes Film Festival, the documentary closely explores the US government's role in the evacuation of bin Laden relatives from the United States after the attacks.

Moore describes the film as a "comedy."




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