MPAA Won't Allow Cuomo to Represent 'Fahrenheit 9/11' Makers

[LiviaOlivia]

http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/#2
June 22, 2004

The MPAA said Monday that it will not permit former New York Governor Mario Cuomo to represent Michael Moore and the distributors of his film Fahrenheit 9/11 in their appeal of its R rating since he was not directly involved in the film's production. Cuomo, in a letter to the distributors, Lions Gate Films and IFC Films, said that he was "surprised and disappointed" by the MPAA's decision. The MPAA's appeals board is expected to view the film and hear comments from the principals today (Tuesday) in advance of its release in New York on Wednesday and its national roll-out on Friday. Meanwhile, controversy has arisen over the number of theaters that have agreed to screen the film, with the conservative website MoveAmericaForward.org claiming that it has been booked in only 417 theaters, most of them "poorly attended 'art house' theaters." IFC Entertainment claims that the actual number will be between 750 and 800 theaters, still well below the 1,000 that the distributors had initially forecast would run it. (MoveAmericaForward.com has launched a letter-writing campaign urging theater owners not to show the film.) Reuters reported Monday that more people are looking up Fahrenheit 9/11 on the Moviefone.com website than any other film. Reuters also indicated that the trailer for the movie is the top choice of people using AOL.

[BootinUp]

1. They'll never get the Genie

back in the bottle, hard as they may try. When a movie is this much in demand people find a way to see it.

[soleft]

2. It's practically sold out in NY for opening today

And it's at several theaters - multiplexes, not art houses

[calimary]

20. One of the moms I saw outside the workout class today said she and

her friends are buying extra tickets. When they go, they're buying one ticket for themselves, plus a spare. This woman said they were hoping to make the box office receipts go up - which would keep the film WAY out front, screaming all over the front pages. If that 300-pound gorilla in the room keeps gaining weight, it WILL become rawther impossible to ignore. Right now, that 300-pound gorilla probably weighs more like 1000 pounds. And still chowing down...

[LuminousX]

3. Theater Owners - Small Businesses....

If the movie makes money, only the most ardent conservative idiots will not devote at least one screen to it. Money talks.

[LTR]

4. I say keep it as an 'R' rating

Granted, the reason for it sounds kinda stupid (soldiers chanting that "Roof is on fire" song, complete with a few MF'ers).

But an 'R' rating gives it a sort of appeal. 'Bowling For Columbine' was also an 'R', due to some pretty graphic violence.

I don't see an 'R' rating biting in to ticket sales at all. It may draw a few people. Besides, the people who are going to see it are going to see it, no matter what.

[Journeyman]

5. I understand Moore is fighting the 'R'. . .

because he wants to ensure all the young teenagers -- those who may be most adversely impacted by a possible draft -- will get the opportunity to view the film.

[leftistagitator]

7. I don't know if it's possible to get kids to care

about the impending world of shit they are about to be in. I keep hearing about how voter apathy is even worse now than it was in 2000, if these little fuckwad dipshits haven't found a reason to care about the direction their country is going in yet, then there is no hope for them as citizens.

[Eloriel]

10. Whoa

You should spend some time with some young people -- many of them are far more involved and aware than you're giving them credit for with your appalling, broadbrush, meanspirited slam.

And another thing. You're forgetting that ONE (and probably the main) reason people get turned off to the political process including voting is they do not see that their involvement has any impact whatsoever. Why spend any energy on something that's essentially meaningless? Personally, after Howard Dean's candidacy which had people coming out of the woodwork who had never been involved in politics before, I now understand that while it would be really nice if all Americans took their citizenship responsibilities more seriously -- and there's some value in promoting that, but it's a free country which means you can't force them to vote, you have to give them something to vote FOR, some reason to get involved, and most of all something (and someone) to believe in.

And I do find your extreme anti-youth sentiment disturbing.

[leftistagitator]

13. I'm 22

I spend all of my time with young people. Some of them care, far too many don't. You bring up anything political and people start whining about how they don't want to hear any "heavy" stuff, they just want to have fun. And I'm not talking about forcing anyone to vote, I just can't understand how all this stuff is happening and some peoples biggest concerns are American Idol and the new Summer fashion line.

[Voltaire99]

17. Oh, what self-drama!

Wooo, you sure told them off in the strongest possible terms, dintcha?

WYou might try thinking about why these kids are apathetic. Might it be the dearth of political options? Might it be that the past three years of watching the Democratic Party collaborate with the Republicans has been less than inspiring?

[leftistagitator]

19. You don't have to be a Democrat to care what's going on

There are 5 Parties with name recognition, the Democratic Party, Republican Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, and Reform Party. And then there are the independents. If you can't find a group you agree with enough to be a member of you probably aren't trying. And just because you aren't a member of a major Party is no reason to completely ignore current events and refuse to take positions on issues important to you. I know far too many people who don't have the slightest idea about what's going on in the world, and they don't want to know. They don't even know the filtered version they'd get from the right wing media. These aren't kids who have looked at the issues and rejected the Democratic Party's stances, these are kids who don't know the issues or the Democratic Party's stances. In a Democracy every citizen is responsible for the actions of their government, willful disregard of the duty is a sin which far too many are guilty of.

[Kolesar]

6. The fight over the R rating makes good headlines, too eom

[The Sushi Bandit]

8. I hear the Irvine Spectrum will get "egged" this Friday night by ..

a "FLash Mob" because Regal Entertainment they wont show it in any of their OC theaters (except at the University theater @ UCI that gets no traffic).

[TroglodyteScholar]

9. That....

....kind of spoils it, don't you think.....

[xxqqqzme]

11. well, University Theatre

is gonna get traffic this Friday. I have never been 2 University but I'll B there on Friday. There R viewing groups forming all over OC 2 view F911. One evening showing - I think 7P is sold out!

[LiviaOlivia]

12. "MoveAmericaForward.org(com)?-deserving of

the "OXYMORON OF THE YEAR" award.

[Gregorian]

14. MoveAmericaBackwards.com?

What's that?

No wait. Let me guess... It's about the CHILDREN. Or, no, they want to do God's work, for God. Like he couldn't do it himself.

Where do they come from? Who are they? When will they die? I thought Puritans were extinct.

[Snoggera]

15. When did the MPAA garner such power?

"will not permit former New York Governor Mario Cuomo to represent Michael Moore and the distributors of his film Fahrenheit 9/11 in their appeal of its R rating since he was not directly involved in the film's production.

When did they get the power to decide who a person/entity hires for an attorney?

[IndianaGreen]

21. The "R" rating prevents teens from seeing this film

Teens are the ones most likely to end up getting drafted in the military, which is a real distinct possibility if Bush is elected in November. It is hard to get the sheep to "support the troops" and waive flags after the veil of lies is lifted from the Bush regime, which is what this film does rather well.

[smiley_glad_hands]

16. Hopefully Americans will begin to wake up.

[gauguin57]

18. Passion of the Christ was R ...

... and people all over America took their little children to see it (despite the violence) to show them what they believe is the truth. Progressives all over the country will probably do the same with their Little Progressives.

Thanks for trying, Mario. (So what ARE the skeletons in your closet that prevented you from running for president? You kick ass!)