"'Fahrenheit 9/11' is breaking records and changing minds because the movie deals with the fundamental issues of our times -- war and peace, privacy and economic justice. The soul of the movie -- and what is attracting so many people -- is that it asks the questions that should have been asked before our men and women in uniform were put in harm's way in Iraq," said Michael Moore. "I would also like to thank the 'axis of actors' who star in the movie -- George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and John Ashcroft. Without their work, this project would not have been possible. Of course, without their work, the world would be a better place today."
"This box office isn't great, it's historic," commented Fellowship Adventure Group's Harvey and Bob Weinstein.
"It is hard to express the excitement and pride we feel in being behind one of the box-office successes of the year, if not the decade. This extraordinary film has broken records no one could have predicted, and it shows no signs of stopping. We look forward to many more achievements in the weeks and months to come," said Ortenberg.
"This is a triumphant moment for Michael and our distribution partners and an occasion that deeply underlines the power of open minds, thoughtful discourse and balanced deliberation. IFC is truly proud of its contribution in bringing this tremendous film to audiences and this noteworthy juncture in its course," stated Sehring.
A list of some of the film's more prominent box-office records, milestones and key figures set by the film since its release June 25 follows:
-- Highest opening weekend ever for a documentary of any type (including IMAX and concert films)
-- Highest opening ever for a wide release under 1000 screens (beating previous record holder "Rocky III" in 1982)
-- Highest opening ever for a Palme d'Or winner (topping previous record holder "Pulp Fiction" in 1994)
-- Opening weekend numbers outgrossed the total domestic box office for Academy Award(R) winner "Bowling for Columbine," Michael Moore's previous release, which was in theatrical release for nine months
-- Achieved 3rd highest per screen average opening for the year to date among wide releases (behind only "Passion of the Christ" & "Shrek 2")
-- First film to open on under 1000 screens to take the #1 weekend box office spot since 1994 (beating previous record holder "Four Weddings and a Funeral")
-- Number 7 on all time list of opening weekend per screen averages for all films released wide on its opening weekend
-- Had the highest advance online ticket sales for a documentary at over a million dollars
This year's winner of the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, "FAHRENHEIT 9/11" is being released by a coalition of companies that includes Bob and Harvey Weinstein's Fellowship Adventure Group, a newly-created special-purpose company, Lions Gate Films, and IFC Films. Pay TV rights will be handled by Showtime, Lions Gate's Pay TV partner.
"FAHRENHEIT 9/11" is Michael Moore's first feature film since "BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE," which won the 2003 Academy Award(R) for Best Documentary Feature. "FAHRENHEIT 9/11" brought Moore his first Palme d'Or and his second major award from the Cannes Film Festival, following the 55th Anniversary Prize he received at the 2002 Festival. Moore is the first documentary filmmaker in cinema history to be honored twice at Cannes.
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY LIONS GATE FILMS
