Despite Michael Moore's comments that the DVD of "Fahrenheit 9/11" could be delayed because the movie may stay in theaters through the end of the year, the docu's DVD release date has been set for Oct. 5 -- less than a month before the Nov. 2 presidential election.
Homevid launch, from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, is likely to be accompanied by a fresh round of publicity for Moore and his Bush-bashing message in the heart of a presidential race the documaker says he wants to sway.
Distrib has alerted retailers that it plans to release the DVD on Oct. 5. Online retailers like Amazon.com and Borders have already begun posting details about the "Fahrenheit" DVD and taking orders. But Col could still change its plans and have retailers revise those specific release details.
"Fahrenheit" has grossed $113 million in its domestic run through last weekend. Whether it is a big homevid seller remains to be seen. Moore's previous doc, "Bowling for Columbine," grossed nearly $22 million in theaters and generated $12 million from homevideo.
The "Fahrenheit" homevid promo push is likely to be hampered by federal campaign finance regulations that forbid corporations from spending money on TV and radio ads that feature candidates.
Spots aired for the theatrical bow in June included President Bush in several clips. Those same spots would be illegal if aired after July 31, when the campaign rules went into effect.
Last week, the Federal Election Commission dismissed a complaint about "Fahrenheit," but only on the narrow grounds that TV ads for the film had stopped airing before July 31.
Given the high levels of awareness among consumers about what "Fahrenheit" is about, a DVD could likely be marketed without mentioning Bush.
"Fahrenheit" is likely to still be in theaters, where it's being distribbed by Lions Gate and IFC Films., on Oct. 5. Sources say Col is going forward with its DVD plans regardless.
It would not be an unprecedented move. Universal released the DVD of "Lost In Translation" in February just as Focus Features was expanding its theatrical screens to capitalize on awards season attention. In that case, the cross-marketing served both well.
"Bowling For Columbine" was in the tail-end of its nearly yearlong theatrical run when MGM released that film on DVD.
Though subject to change, among the extras Amazon.com lists as available on the "Fahrenheit" DVD are additional footage from Iraq, Condoleezza Rice's 9/11 Commission testimony and material about the effects of the Sept. 11 attacks on Arab-American comedians and their acts. Sources say Columbia is still wrestling with legal clearances for all the last-minute bonus features Moore wants to include.
Rep for the documaker and Bob and Harvey Weinstein's Fellowship Adventure Group declined comment on the DVD release, as did Col TriStar. (As reported by VARIETY)
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