Film Industry Gives Controversial Iraq Film Ovation (``Fahrenheit 9/11'')

[Khephra]

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (Reuters) - Director Michael Moore's controversial anti-Iraq war film ``Fahrenheit 9/11'' won a standing ovation on Tuesday night from an audience of film industry professionals attending its West Coast debut at Academy Award headquarters.

After an audience of more than 600 people in the theater of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences cheered, whistled and laughed their way through the two-hour film, they jumped to their feet to give Moore a standing ovation as he took the stage.

Clearly buoyed by the reception, Moore, whose film is scathingly critical and mocking of President Bush, declared: ``There has been a shift in this country. ... The average American is finally beginning to figure it out. We were duped (into invading Iraq).''

``I hope this country will be back in our hands in a short period of time,'' he added.

more...........

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/arts/entertainment-leisure-moore.html

Just in case you think this is a dupe, it's not. The other articles were about Cannes. This is about the West Coast reaction.

[skypilot]

1. June 25th can't get here soon enough for me.

This is one movie that I'm actually tempted to camp out in front of the theatre to see.

[RaulGroom]

5. Actually, I'm getting a DC-area group together to go to opening night

Anybody else planning on being there? If so, where?

[Spazito]

2. Here is a message from Michael Moore from his site....

Hey Everyone...

As you may have heard by now, we finally have a distributor in America for "Fahrenheit 9/11." Actually, two of them! Lions Gate Films and IFC Films have agreed to aggressively distribute "Fahrenheit 9/11" in theaters all across the country beginning three weeks from today on Friday, June 25th. We are, needless to say, extremely grateful for their courage (trust me, no matter what the potential box office may be, anyone who has considered taking on this distribution job has also met with a lot of pressure NOT to do it in the past month).

They will open it on a record number of screens for a documentary. There is no stopping it now!

These are great distributors. Jon Feltheimer, the man who runs Lions Gate, was the executive in charge of the company that produced my television series, "TV Nation." And the people at IFC (which owned Bravo) were the same people responsible for funding and broadcasting my other series, "The Awful Truth." So we are in very good hands.

(And, as an added bonus, Lions Gate is a Canadian company. Once again, the Canadians to the rescue! It was also a Canadian company, Salter Street Films, that produced "Bowling for Columbine." I know, it's kinda sad we have to keep depending on our good neighbors to the north. But maybe this is the year we give 'em their Stanley Cup back.)

more

http://www.michaelmoore.com/index_real.php

( I don't know if I am allowed to copy more than the 4 paragraphs from his message so I am playing it safe but there is an interesting tidbit about "spilling the beans" about some people soon!)

I also want to pat us Canadians on the back for supporting Michael, I am proud of us!)

[Kid_A]

3. Kerasotes may not release it.

They own all the theaters where I live and they might chicken out about this movie. There's a HUGE audience for it where I live (Bloomington, IN) and they would be foolish to not release it here. If anyone has to go to Kerasotes theaters, then bombard them with e-mails until they're forced to show the movie.

[quispquake]

4. It's definitely coming up here to Waterville, Maine

Our local indy theatre already has an "Opening June 25th" blurb on their site...woo hoo!!!

[tridim]

6. Is F-9/11 really "Controversial"?

I mean, how can an unreleased film be controversial? I don't think the NYT should assume it's controversial just because it's a Michael Moore film. I think "celebrated", "truthful" or "award winning" are better descriptions.

[Supply Side Jesus]

7. The DNC should "Passion" the hell out of this film

you know, private screenings around the country. High pressure on the media to cover the opening.....you know, you couldn't turn the channel or look at a newspaper without seeing from freakin fundy moved to tears because of that flick.

[DeepModem Mom]

8. "I hope this country will be back in our hands in a short period of time"

I hope so, too, Michael -- thank you --

[Coventina]

9. just watched the trailer.....WOW!

I am so totally psyched!!!!

I yelled and clapped my hands at the end...scared the owl-poop out of my dog.....

I can't wait!!!!!!

If there is a ticket to be had opening night....I'm SO there!!!!!

[KDLarsen]

10. I can't wait either..

.. in fact, I've just learned that the local rock festival, Roskilde Festival, is trying to get the movie on the movie bill. Since people arrive 5 days before the gates to the festival area itself opens, we have one heck of an equipped camping site, which includes an open air cinema every day - and we're talking at least 10-15-20,000 people who's going to see this one if it's openair (of a 65,000 strong crowd + the volunteers). And probably more if the weather is good.

[David__77]

11. I'll watch it more than once!

My fairly conservative friend (who's voting for Kerry) will go with me, and then I'll go with my partner and whoever else I can get to go with me.