Climate zero degrees for 'Fahrenheit 9/11'

by Matthew Weaver<br>Herald Staff Writer
| July 6, 2004 9:00 PM

Area movie theaters not showing Moore flick

It's been the topic of many a heated conversation, won an international film award and was one of the weekend's higher grossing movies.

But it doesn't look like "Fahrenheit 9/11," the latest controversial documentary from director Michael Moore ("Bowling for Columbine," "Roger and Me") will be playing in the immediate area any time soon.

"I don't know for sure," said Jeff Fairchild, owner of Fairchild Cinemas in Moses Lake. "I'm not sure that I want to play it. It's just controversial, political. I'm not sure that I agree with the message of the producer."

Randy Fairchild, general manager of the Lee Theater in Ephrata, said he did not know if the movie would be available.

"They only make it available to certain theaters at this time, so it depends on the movie company," he said. "A lot of times they only make so many prints and only make it available to larger markets."

The politics of the movie and the politics of the area "probably would" be a factor in deciding to show the movie in his theater, Randy Fairchild said.

"It probably also is a consideration that the film companies would use, and they want to put into a marketable area where it's going to make money," he said.

Bob Reichert, owner of Reichert's Showhouse in Othello, said that his theater would not be showing "Fahrenheit 9/11," and declined to comment further.

Dora Kramer, owner and manager of the New Ritz Theatre in Ritzville, also does not have plans to show the movie, although she said that the conflicting politics of the film and the population did not particularly factor into the decision.

"We are only open three days a week, and I just don't have a spot for it," Kramer said. "It just doesn't appear to be of interest. I have had no one express or ask anything about it."

Randy Fairchild said he had one phone call asking if the Lee Theater was going to be getting the movie, but said that there has not been a lot of interest.

"There's been some interest in it; I've got a few requests," Jeff Fairchild said. "I know it did real well the first weekend. I will check and see what the longevity of the movie is."