News & Politics - Moore Film Title Angers Author

SuperDeluxe · 06-21-2004, 12:43 PM

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By PAUL CHAVEZ

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Ray Bradbury is demanding an apology from filmmaker Michael Moore for lifting the title from his classic science-fiction novel "Fahrenheit 451" without permission and wants the new documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" to be renamed.

"He didn't ask my permission," Bradbury, 83, told The Associated Press on Friday. "That's not his novel, that's not his title, so he shouldn't have done it."

The 1953 novel, widely considered Bradbury's masterpiece, portrays an ugly futuristic society in which firemen burn homes and libraries in order to destroy the books inside and keep people from thinking independently.

"Fahrenheit 451" takes its title from the temperature at which books burn. Moore has called "Fahrenheit 9/11" the "temperature at which freedom burns."

His film, which won top honors in May at the Cannes Film Festival, charges that the Bush administration acted ineptly before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, then played on the public's fear of future terrorism to gain support for the war against Iraq. It opens nationwide next Friday.

Bradbury, who hadn't seen the movie, said he called Moore's company six months ago to protest and was promised Moore would call back.

He finally got that call last Saturday, Bradbury said, adding Moore told him he was "embarrassed."

"He suddenly realized he's let too much time go by," the author said by phone from his home in Los Angeles' Cheviot Hills section.

Joanne Doroshow, a spokeswoman for "Fahrenheit 9/11," said the film's makers have "the utmost respect for Ray Bradbury."

"Mr. Bradbury's work has been an inspiration to all of us involved in this film, but when you watch this film you will see the fact that the title reflects the facts that the movie explores, the very real life events before, around and after 9-11," she said.

Bradbury, who is a registered political independent, said he would rather avoid litigation and is "hoping to settle this as two gentlemen, if he'll shake hands with me and give me back my book and title."

Moore's film needed new distributors after Disney refused to let its Miramax subsidiary release it, claiming it was too politically charged. The documentary was later bought by Miramax bosses Harvey and Bob Weinstein, who lined up Lions Gate and IFC Films to help distribute it.

The movie's distributors are appealing to lower its R rating to PG-13 and a screening has been set for Tuesday by the Motion Picture Association of America's appeals board.

Bradbury's book was made into a 1966 movie directed by Francois Truffaut. A new edition of the book is scheduled for release in eight weeks, Bradbury said, and plans are in the works for a new film version, to be directed by Frank Darabont.

last beautiful girl · 06-21-2004, 01:06 PM

Geez. He(Moore) is all about freedom(supposedly), but he doesn't have the decency to ASK if he can derive the title from the title of another book? Nice.

Quote:

Moore has called "Fahrenheit 9/11" the "temperature at which freedom burns."

Wow. You're so clever. Not.

ceilirose · 06-21-2004, 01:52 PM

So if there are any descendants of Gabriel Farenheit alive - do you think they are angry at both Bradbury and Moore?

*Lauren · 06-21-2004, 02:15 PM

Please, there have been plenty of times that people have used other titles as inspiration. This one clearly has a basis in truth.

The only thing Moore has done wrong is ignoring Bradley's phone calls, which he himself has ackongigsed. (ugh! sp?)

**Avatar** · 06-21-2004, 02:43 PM

I don't know who the bigger fool is - Ray Bradbury for not simply being honoured that his book is still being used as a source of inspiration and nothing more, or Michael Moore for being Michael Moore.

***Raonaild*** · 06-21-2004, 02:44 PM

If this ever went to court, Moore could argue Fair Use, claiming that the title was a parody of the original copyrighted work. It is legal to use some element of a copyrighted work without permission for the purposes of social commentary, provided you are adding new material and not just copying the original.

StellaSlight · 06-21-2004, 03:43 PM

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So if there are any descendants of Gabriel Farenheit alive - do you think they are angry at both Bradbury and Moore?

Probably.
Or maybe the Arabs could sue both Bradbury and Moore for using numbers they have copyright of.

alli balli · 06-21-2004, 04:02 PM

Stupid. "Give back" the book and title? As far as I can tell you still have them, Ray.

Enigma, I.C. · 06-21-2004, 04:45 PM

This reminds me of when Fox sued Al Franken for using "fair and balanced" in the title of his latest book. Fox got laughed out of court. The same thing would probably happen to Bradbury, if he chose to litigate.
I can't help but wonder if this is Ray Bradbury's last gasp for publicity or if someone put him up to this.

SuperDeluxe · 06-21-2004, 05:47 PM

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Originally posted by *Lauren
ackongigsed. (ugh! sp?)

acknowledged? or something else..?

SuperDeluxe · 06-21-2004, 05:50 PM

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Originally posted by ceilirose
So if there are any descendants of Gabriel Farenheit alive - do you think they are angry at both Bradbury and Moore?

I dont believe copyright was a word back then, but that could be just me.

SuperDeluxe · 06-21-2004, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Avatar
I don't know who the bigger fool is - Ray Bradbury for not simply being honoured that his book is still being used as a source of inspiration and nothing more, or Michael Moore for being Michael Moore.

Well since Ray's actual book is being made into a movie by well respected director Frank Darabont, I dont think he needs any actual honour from Micheal Moore. And maybe he just doesnt want to be affliated by Micheal Moores work?

SuperDeluxe · 06-21-2004, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *Lauren
Please, there have been plenty of times that people have used other titles as inspiration. This one clearly has a basis in truth.

"Fahrenheit 451" takes its title from the temperature at which books burn. Moore has called "Fahrenheit 9/11" the "temperature at which freedom burns."

I think moore would have be okay if he would have just stcuk with the Farenheit 9/11

Adding the 2nd part is basically the same as what Ray had.

Katis · 06-21-2004, 06:28 PM

Just a reminder, responses should only be in one post. Multiple posts aren't allowed.

SuperDeluxe · 06-21-2004, 09:53 PM

DOh!

My bad, I had forgotten.

Wont happena gain


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