Decision not to show 'Fahrenheit 9-11' sparks protest

[TriMetFan]

This going on in Florence Oregon. A small town of about 8,000. This movie is making a difference.

"Eighty-four-year-old Peggy Randall joined a small group of picketers this week, protesting the Florence Cinemas' decision not to show the movie."

http://katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=69253

[Gold Metal Flake]

1. Looks like they should yell at the distributor, not the venue manager.

4 week commitment? Why? Why not a 2 week commitment in a town of 8000? Why not? What's the prob? Give the little guys a break. Work it out. Do what it takes to get it to play, don't force possibly painful requirements on the theater owners. Be a progressive with your progressive film.

The distributor is being a goddamn tool. Alost like a ....Repug.

[KurtNYC]

2. 4 weeks is a long run for town of 8,000

If that is true I hope Moore and the Weinsteins have changed their requirement now that the film is in release. Hopefully they will let this theater owner book it for a one week gig.

But I like her spirit!

[DarkPhenyx]

3. If his statement is true...

...the theatre owner has a valid point. If it is true I support his decision to not show the film. I also support the protesters attempts to convience him to show it anyway.

[lovedems]

4. When I went to see F9-11, I was actually surprised that easily a majority

of the film goers were senior citizens. My great aunt and uncle went with us and they are in their late 60's. I am sure that many of these individuals served during WWII or had spouses who served. I can only speak for my great uncle who was disgusted with Bush before we saw the film and by the time we left, he said, "That SOB is going to steal it again. He is going to steal it again" He fought in WWII and said he doesn't even recognize his country anymore. He was quite depressed and was shaking his head in disgust for the rest of the evening. I felt really bad for him because the effect the movie had on him was really sad.

[SoCalDem]

7. I finally went on Wednesday.. the 1 pm showing

It's finally showing in my rightwing community..actually in 2 theatres..

It was not crowded, but the people who were there, were very enthusiastic.. Like many others, I was not surprised at what was in the movie, but my son, who went with me, was startled at some of the things he saw..

He often teases me about hanging out at Democratic Underground, and says that I "don't see the other side".. I reminded him, that the "other" side of decent ..is INdecent.. the other side of truth...is LIE.. etc..

He's a kerry supporter, but likes to "test" me.:)..

He has made it a goal to see that all of his friends are registered and see the movie.. he's 25, so that should be a help to the cause..:)

[lovedems]

9. I have a cousin who will be voting for the first time this election year

and my uncle, who despises this administration, foot the bill for my cousin and ALL of his friends to see the movie. He took all of them to make sure they know how to vote this year. He told some of them that if you are planning on voting for Bush, I want you to know what you are voting for!

He said it was a couple hundred dollars well spent. After leaving the movie he said the kids were pissed and not a single one of them planned on voting for smirky/snarly. Not a single one! (They are all 18 years old and have some life decisions to make. My uncle is a Captain in the Army Reserves and has alot of respect for the military but he will be damned if he will encourage any of those kids to join up right now. He tells them NO! Don't be stupid! Don't be fodder for this administration!)

[sybylla]

10. Join the Democratic Party and you'll see the same thing.

I'm in my early 40's and until this year, I was the youngest member of my county Dem party. Our elders are out politicking us and anyone who thinks they aren't paying attention needs a little time with the party.

Had our Dem picnic last night and nearly everyone there had seen f9/11 or was planing to see it soon. Seniors know what's going on.

[PsN2Wind]

5. Saw the movie last night

right here in Klamath Falls, OR, a VERY right wing community. Only a few people at the viewing but it is being shown. Of course, at least one of our friends said there would be no way she would go see it, I guess someone already told her what she should think of it.

[KurtNYC]

6. Each print costs $4000+

I'm going to guess the reason they wanted 4 week commitments is because they weren't sure the film would have the success it is having and didn't make that many prints initially. It was a $6mil film and the prints (around 1,000) cost ~$4mil. So prints are like 40% of the cost of the film and exhibitors (theater owners) keep most of the money a film takes in. So you have to clear about $30 - $40mil just to break even once you have laid out your $10mil. Also the length of the film at 2 hours is a factor in smaller towns because it makes it harder to get 2 big audiences every night. The best start time is 7PM to 7:30PM and with previews and clean up you can't book another show until about 10pm.

But it seems like they can change the 4 week requirement now. And I still say they should do a "director's cut" and get us to all go back again!

[TriMetFan]

8. yes I can understand the guy

but there are other little towns around Florence too. You can almost spit from one small town to another small town. I wonder if the guy has even tried to get Mr. Moore and company to let him show it for tow weeks? This are is repuk country.

[Eloriel]

11. And the whole Oregon coast is a year-round tourist area too

When we lived in Oregon, they had a tourist attraction in Florence that was a camel ride -- Lawrence of Florence they called it. RTOFL. (I LOVE Oregon.)

[donhakman]

12. After all its rated R

Maybe they'll show a nice PG Schwartzenegger film instead.

[TriMetFan]

13. I sent and e-mail to Mr. Moore

but this.