Disney "censors" political film

The Walt Disney company blocked the distribution of the latest film by controversial director Michael Moore.

17:43 06 May 2004

The Walt Disney company has blocked the distribution of the latest film by controversial director Michael Moore.

The film - "Fahrenheit 9/11" - is likely to offend the Bush administration, as well as make money at the box office.

Moore's last effort - "Bowling for Columbine" - won international acclaim, an Oscar, and recorded some of the highest box office figures ever for a documentary.

But Disney said that its reasons for blocking the film were "purely commercial".

Moore disagrees.

"I would have hoped by now that I would be able to put my work out to the public without having to experience the profound censorship obstacles I often seem to encounter," Moore wrote on his Web site.

Disney reportedly receives substantial subsidies from the state of Florida - whose governor is President Bush's brother Jeb. The movie giant has told its Miramax subsidy to not distribute the film.

More is unperturbed - believing his film will still see the light of day.

"Some people may be afraid of this movie because of what it will show," Moore wrote.

"But there's nothing they can do about it now because it's done, it's awesome, and if I have anything to say about it, you'll see it this summer - because, after all, it is a free country."

The new film will be premiered at the Cannes film festival - it focuses on the US reaction to the September 11th atrocities.