NEW YORK, May 5 (UPI) -- The Walt Disney Co. is blocking Miramax's distribution of a documentary by Michael Moore that harshly criticizes U.S. President George Bush.
"Fahrenheit 911" links the president to prominent citizens of Saudi Arabia, including the family of Osama bin Laden, and criticizes Bush's actions before and after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the New York Times reported Wednesday.
Disney, Miramax's owner, has a contractual agreement with Miramax principals Bob and Harvey Weinstein allowing it to prevent the company from distributing films under certain circumstances, such as an NC-17 rating.
"We're discussing the issue with Disney. We're looking at all of our options and look forward to resolving this amicably," Miramax spokesman Matthew Hiltzik told the Times.
Ari Emanuel, Moore's agent, said Disney's chief executive asked him to pull out of the deal with Miramax. Emanuel said Michael Eisner expressed concern that it would endanger tax breaks Disney receives for its theme park, hotels, and other ventures in Florida, where Bush's brother, Jeb, is governor.
