Fahrenheit 911: According to Variety, Miramax Films co-chairmen Bob and Harvey Weinstein have purchased all rights to Michael Moore's Palme d'Or-winning documentary, Fahrenheit 911, from Miramax Film Corp., thus freeing the Walt Disney Co. of any corporate responsibility for the film. This clears the way for the Weinsteins to close a domestic distribution deal on the title.
Miramax parent Disney announced Friday that the Weinsteins made the purchase through a new special-purpose company, the Fellowship Adventure Group. Any distribution profits that might have gone to Miramax or Disney will be donated to charity. The Weinsteins now hold all rights to the film and, according to Disney, have paid Miramax for all costs of the film to date. That figure is believed to be north of $6 million. The brothers are also responsible for any finishing costs as well as marketing costs not paid by the film's distributors.

Showing uncharacteristic restraint, Moore's only comment on the deal was a brief statement: "It is a fair and equitable solution." Under the agreement, the Weinsteins will arrange for worldwide distribution for the film in all windows, including theatricaltheatrical and home entertainment. The Weinsteins will secure distribution through third parties or may distribute the movie personally in certain markets.

Disney granted the Weinsteins permission to buy back the film earlier this month, at the start of the Cannes Film Festival.

The film reflects on the state of America as Moore questions the roles that family connections and oil concerns may have played in the Bush government's handling of the September 2001 terrorist attacks.

According to Disney, Miramax was told a year ago to sell its interest in Moore's picture. The Mouse HouseMouse House thought it inappropriate for a family entertainment company to be involved in such a politically charged project during an election year. The fracas behind Fahrenheit 911 are said to have exacerbated tensions in the process of negotiating an extension of the Weinsteins' contract with Disney, which expires in 2005.

Fahrenheit 9/11 was released June 25th, 2004 and stars Ben Affleck, Stevie Wonder, George W. Bush, James Baker III, Richard Gephardt, Tom Daschle, Jeffrey Toobin, Al Gore. The film is directed by Michael Moore.