The Motion Picture Association of America has decided to keep the R rating it initially applied to Michael Moore‘s anti-Bush documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, rather than allow a PG-13 rating, a press release stated Monday, despite an aggressive campaign by its distributors, Lions Gate Films and IFC Films, as well as former New York Governor, Mario Cuomo, who was retained as a legal expert, to change the MPAA’s mind. The films is set to open in approximately 800 theaters across the country June 25.
“Teenagers should be able to see this film and see it on their own,” declared Moore. “Older teenagers are being sent to Iraq, some never to return. To say that teenagers shouldn’t see this movie means that the truth should be kept from them. I encourage all teenagers to come see my movie, by any means necessary. If you need me to sneak you in, let me know.”
Tom Ortenberg, president of Lions Gate Films stated, “We are beating back the effort of a small minded few to suppress the film and feel that now is the time for less censorship, not more. The film will open in all 50 states on Friday, and the R rating will not deter the tremendous anticipation and enthusiasm that we see building for Fahrenheit 9/11 as more and more people learn about it.”
“IFC is disappointed and strongly disagrees with the MPAA’s ruling, but we do respect the process and appreciate that the MPAA listened with open minds to our appeal,” said Jonathan Sehring, president of IFC Films. “IFC Films, The Fellowship Adventure Group and Lions Gate remain committed in our support of the film and getting it to reach the largest audience possible. As anyone who has read a paper, watched TV, surfed the web or chatted by a water cooler this week can attest, the interest in Fahrenheit 9/11 has grown to mammoth proportions. It is a shame that Fahrenheit 9/11 will become inaccessible to a segment of the American population to whom this film has a great deal of relevance.”
The biggest sticking point in the ratings debate appears to be the use of the word “motherf***er” several times by an American soldier in Iraq, as well as some graphic footage of Iraqi civilian casualties.
Along with Lions Gate and IFC Films, Fahrenheit 9/11, which won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival this year, is also being released by Bob and Harvey Weinstein’s Fellowship Adventure Group, a newly created special-purpose company. The Miramax co-heads bought the film rights back from their parent company, the Walt Disney Co., earlier this year, after Disney refused to release the controversial film.
