‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ reshapes indie film world

LOS ANGELES - Michael Moore's “Fahrenheit 9/11” may or may not have an impact on the November presidential elections. But the controversial documentary is definitely reshaping the independent film landscape in Hollywood.

Starting with "Roger and Me" in 1989, then "Bowling for Columbine" in 2002 and now "Fahrenheit 9/11," Michael Moore has proven that big issues can generate big box office.

"I think it's definitely raised eyebrows both on the plane of what kind of business a documentary can do out there in theaters and also what kind of business controversial films as a whole can do," said Gary Adelson, a media industry analyst at Houlihan Lokey Howard and Zukin.

The impact of "Fahrenheit 9/11" goes far beyond the box office.

Disney's refusal to distribute the film for its Miramax division has further soured the already-shaky relationship, triggering talk that Miramax co-founder Harvey Weinstein could bolt the company.

Thanks in part to the success of "Fahrenheit 9/11," theatre owners are more willing to book controversial films.

At the same time, "Fahrenheit 9/11" has lifted the fortunes of Lions Gate and IFC Films, the two independents that stepped in to distribute the film after Disney dropped out.

“IFC and Lions Gate are going to make a fortune off this movie just as new market films made a fortune off “The Passion of the Christ” earlier this year when it was passed over by the big Hollywood studios," said Gabriel Snyder, who follows the movie industry at Daily Variety.

‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ Web leak stirs controversy 'Fahrenheit' red-hot at weekend box office Review: ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ puts it all together ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ has a point to make ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ scores with critics The new golden age of documentaries Michael Moore's film should prove divisive Newsweek: Agent Provocateur

Thanks in part to the success of "Fahrenheit 9/11," theater owners are more willing to book controversial films. And that's helping smaller documentaries this year, like "Supersize Me," Morgan Spurlock's look at McDonalds, and "The Control Room," a documentary about Arabic TV network Al Jazeera.

"I think that we're seeing the advent of the documentary and/or the politically oriented film,” said media analyst Anthony DiClemente at Lehman Brothers. “You have a number of films like “Fahrenheit 9/11” set to launch here. Now that “Fahrenheit's” done so well, these particular films have a better opportunity of receiving distribution."

Given the herd mentality in Hollywood, there's bound to be a lot more independent financing available for controversial films, thanks to the success of Michael Moore. But don't expect the major studios to jump into this genre. It's still too hot for their corporate parents.