Theater Owners in Utah and Washington pull Brokeback

[Dave Cullen]

This issue seems to be getting interest in several threads, so here's a place for it.

I'm not really up to speed on this controversy, so someone who is, please jump in and lay out an introduction for us, and/or link some of the articles about it. Thanks.

[jack]

okay, i 'm game.  he owns the theatre.  he can play or not play what he wants, but i am all for capitalism as a teaching tool.  i hoep those that are offended make sure they let him know of every dollar they aren't spending there, and make it a point to patronize the theatres who did business as usual.  i also hope focus sues his ass off for breach of contract, or whatever.

it is not censorship, since it is not a 3rd party government intervention. so don't even bother waving the censorship banner.

jack

[Al***]

Since this is carried over from the other thread I am quoting most of it:

   Re: Box office: Daily & Weekly reports; future prospects
« Reply #492 on: Today at 01:12:53 PM »

Quote from: MSNBC
What do you think of a Utah movie theater pulling the critically acclaimed movie "Brokeback Mountain" hours before it was scheduled to open?   ( 8584 responses )
 
 It's OK. Theater owners can do whatever they want. 23%
 
 I don't support it. Moviegoers should be allowed to choose what they want to see.   28%
 
 Good for them. The movie should never have been made.  20%
 
 It's wrong. That's censorship.  30%

Why are the questions written so?  I wanted to vote for the first "Theater owners can do whatever they want." because as a Libertarian (Brit: liberal) that's what I believe, but it's NOT "OK"!  These questions are skewed--as is all too usual--to the (US) liberal (Brit: illiberal) view that it's acceptable to coerce.

RESPONSE-  Keep in mind that we are all the product the infotainment industry sells to their advertisers.  They just want to stir up as much response as possible from readers.  It is good that "our side" is leading, but I wouln't get to bent out of shape over it.  Polls never tell the story very well in my view.

[Al***]

Of course I think it really stinks that this was pulled at the last minute when a large number of people were already anxious to see this.  But what is really worse in my opinion I that it probably involves the usual religious hypocrisy in that the owner probably did not pull it for his own objections but had his arm twisted by unseen and unknown influences, most likely of an organized nature (either from within the community or even outside it) rather than just plain citizens of the community.  So I what I am saying is that a hidden influence is dictating what choices the people in that community have, and that is censorship, government or not.  In the name of morality they are acting dishonestly and immorally.

[Groch]

Here is a link to e-mail Larry H. Miller, the owner of the Utah theater chain that refuses to show Brokeback: http://www.megaplextheatres.com/contact.php?action=feedback

Theaters are just a sideline for Larry, he is the biggest car dealer in the state and appears to have made a decision that he will sell more cars by offending progressives than by offending conservatives in the LDS church.

Other theater chains in the Salt Lake City area are showing the film, so its his loss.

[nakymaton]

Here are a few links to stories:

Salt Lake Tribune: http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_3379572
MSNBC article mentioned above: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10759062/

The gist, from the MSNBC story:

A movie theater owned by Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller abruptly changed its screening plans and decided not to show the film “Brokeback Mountain.”

The film, an R-rated Western gay romance story, was supposed to open Friday at the Megaplex at Jordan Commons in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Instead it was pulled from the schedule.

I couldn't find the story with the full official statement from Focus... I've seen something longer than the comment about Miller reneging on his agreement.

It's too bad that the MSNBC poll didn't have a option that said "His loss. His competitors are going to make that much more money this weekend." It's showing in other theaters in the area, so it really is a bad business decision for him, and free publicity for BBM. My gut feeling is that more people will go see the movie just to see what the fuss is about... and that Miller will look that much worse to them afterwards.

[Carissa]

I had posted this article on the Main Discussion forum yesterday because I wasn't sure where was the right spot to put it.

« Reply #1879 on: Today at 12:00:16 AM »

Don't know if this was posted yet but:

Utah Theater Cancels 'Brokeback Mountain'
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060108/ap_en_mo/brokeback_canceled

SALT LAKE CITY - A movie theater owned by Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller abruptly changed its screening plans and decided not to show the film "Brokeback Mountain." The film, an R-rated Western gay romance story, was supposed to open Friday at the Megaplex at Jordan Commons in Sandy, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Instead it was pulled from the schedule.

A message posted at the ticket window read: "There has been a change in booking and we will not be showing 'Brokeback Mountain.' We apologize for any inconvenience."

Cal Gunderson, manager of the Jordan Commons Megaplex, declined to comment.

The film, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, is about two cowboys who discover feelings for one another. The two eventually marry women but rekindle their relationship over the years.

The movie's distributor, Focus Features, said that hours before opening, the theater management "reneged on their licensing agreement," and refused to open the film.

Gayle Ruzicka, president of the conservative Utah Eagle Forum, said not showing the film set an example for the people of Utah.

"I just think (pulling the show) tells the young people especially that maybe there is something wrong with this show," she said.

Mike Thompson, executive director of the gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah, called it disappointing.

"It's just a shame that such a beautiful and award-winning film with so much buzz about it is not being made available to a broad Utah audience because of personal bias," he said.

I'm going to start my own little GLAAD Action alert.

Utah Jazz
301 W. South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 325-2500

MEGAPLEX 17 at Jordan Commons   (801) 304-4577
Questions or comments:   guestservices@megaplextheatres.com
Online Feedback Form:  http://www.megaplextheatres.com/contact.php?action=feedback

[Wayne SF]

Okay everyone, this is actually GREAT news !!! This is the publicity we ALL have been waiting for.  The conservative/extremists-religious groups are fracturing.  This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship !!!

[jack]

well well well, laddie bucks sure provides a lot of targets for those who might wish to protest his action doncha think.  car dealerships, basketball (?) team, theatres.  oh i think he is in for a big ol ride.  i think i am going to drop my friend john aravosis a line.

jack 

[Carissa]

Steve posted this in the "A Call to Action" thread.  I put the expanded Focus Features quote in Red.  (Thanks Steve!)

Not sure where to post this....but I thought some of you might be interested in the distribution problems of this film.  Living here behind the "Zion Curtain"  we get little problems like  this:  (note:Larry Miller is the owner of the Utah Jazz and a well know Mormon)   

http://deseretnews.com/dn/print/1,1442,635174579,00.html
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Deseret Morning News, Saturday, January 07, 2006

Utah theater won't show 'Brokeback'

By Nicole Warburton and Deborah Bulkeley
Deseret Morning News

A film about two gay cowboys was removed Friday from the schedule at the Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons, which is owned by Larry Miller.
The film, "Brokeback Mountain," was scheduled to begin screening at 12:45 p.m. Friday, according to ads in the Deseret Morning News and Salt Lake Tribune. Late Thursday, the Newspaper Agency Corp., which handles advertising, production and printing for both papers, was asked to remove show times for the film from its ads.

Greig Smith, senior vice president and ad director for the NAC, said notification to pull the listing came too late to remove it from Friday's paper. It has been pulled from ads for papers today and Sunday, he said.

Calls to Miller and a spokesperson were not returned Friday. Cal Gunderson, manager of the Jordan Commons Megaplex, was reached by phone but declined to comment. A check of the theater's online and telephone listings showed that "Brokeback Mountain" had indeed been removed from screening.

Conservative groups lauded the apparent decision to not show the film. Others said it was a decision that would deny Utahns a chance to see a true work of art.

"I think it sets an example for all the people in Utah and, like I said before, he's my new hero," said Gayle Ruzicka, president of the Utah Eagle Forum. "It's such a terrible show, and it is such a horrible message. I just think (pulling the show) tells the young people especially that maybe there is something wrong with this show."

The film, which stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, is about two cowboys who unexpectedly discover feelings for one another while on a job herding sheep in Wyoming. The two eventually marry women but return over the years to rekindle their love.

Advocates in Utah's gay and lesbian community expressed disappointment about the decision to pull the film, but Mike Thompson, executive director of the gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah, said he's not calling for a boycott of Miller's theaters.

Thompson described the movie as very tasteful with "nothing that even hints at pornography."

"It's just a shame that such a beautiful and award-winning film with so much buzz about it is not being made available to a broad Utah audience because of personal bias," he said. "It's just disappointing."

Jane Marquardt, board chairwoman of Equality Utah, agreed, saying the decision is especially disturbing since Miller's theaters are showing movies with graphic violence.

"It's sad to think that someone would think a movie is that controversial simply because it's a love story between two people of the same sex," she said.

Marquardt did say there was one bright side. The Broadway Theater, which has been sold out for showings of the movie, will likely get more business.

"I hope (Miller) doing that will encourage more people to learn more about what it's all about," she said.

"Brokeback Mountain" is scheduled at other theaters in Utah, including the Broadway and Tower theaters, managed by the Salt Lake Film Society.

Tori Baker, executive director of the film society, said "Brokeback Mountain" has had record earnings since it opened at the Broadway and Tower theaters last Thursday. Across the nation, 296 screens are showing the film. Utah ranked 12th last week with per-screen average earnings, said Baker.

The Film Society received rights to premiere the film a week ahead of other Utah theaters.

"That's phenomenal," said Baker. "We hope the earnings continue, and we have this for a long time to come."

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com;dbulkeley@desnews.com
© 2006 Deseret News Publishing Company 
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Another article on the same subject from the other Salt Lake Paper newspaper:
(I won't copy the whole article just some interesting parts. See link for full article)

http://www.sltrib.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?article=3379572
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'Brokeback' gets boot
A no-show at megaplex in Sandy

..... In an interview with KCPW-FM reporter Jonathan Brown, which was taped Thursday afternoon and aired Friday, Miller said booking a movie like "Brokeback Mountain" was a business decision.
 
   "It's something that I have to let the market speak to some degree," Miller told Brown. "I don't think I'm qualified to be the community censor."

   However, Brown said Friday that Miller was unaware of the storyline of "Brokeback Mountain" - about two Wyoming cowboys who maintain a hidden romance for two decades - until Brown described it to him Thursday, less than two hours before the schedule change was announced.

   Other new movies with R-rated content - such as the marijuana-fueled comedy "Grandma's Boy" and the grisly horror movie "Hostel" - opened on schedule at the MegaPlex 17.

   Officials for Focus Features, the movie's distributor, were incensed.

   "Only hours prior to opening 'Brokeback Mountain,' [the theater management] reneged on their licensing agreement with Focus Features and refused to open the film today as scheduled," the company said in a statement. "Given the gigantic grosses already being posted in Salt Lake City for 'Brokeback Mountain,' this is their loss. We are thrilled that the film . . . is now being embraced by such a huge audience in Salt Lake City, regardless of the deplorable business practices of this one theater."

   Mike Thompson, executive director of the gay-rights group Equality Utah, said, "It's disappointing that bias would prevent a beautiful and award-winning film such as 'Brokeback Mountain' from being made available to the residents of Utah."

The movie, starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, set box-office records for the Broadway Centre Cinemas when it opened Dec. 30. Tori Baker, executive director of the Salt Lake Film Society (the nonprofit group that runs the Broadway and Tower theaters), said "Brokeback Mountain" made $46,000 over the four-day New Year's weekend - placing the Broadway 10th nationwide for per-screen average.

   Baker said Focus Features, the movie's distributor, "is falling off their chair about [the numbers]."

   Focus Features has been releasing "Brokeback Mountain" slowly across the country, building up positive reviews to counter the marketing hurdle of selling a gay romance to middle America. But better-than-expected box office prompted Focus to speed up the national release, up to nearly 500 screens this weekend - including the Century 16 in South Salt Lake and the Cinemark 24 at Jordan Landing.

   The Utah Film Critics Society named "Brokeback Mountain" the year's best movie, and also gave top honors to director Ang Lee. The movie has received similar honors from critics' groups nationwide...

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I'd be interested to know if there are any other distribution problems like this in other "red" states.  Any protests, etc?

{Post mistakenly deleted by Dave. My apologies. Very sorry. Fee free to repost.}{It's back. }

[Al***]

Responding to a previous post (#7), I am not as enthusiastic about this kind of publicity.  And while I do think this type of action should not go un-responded to I don't thing making too big a thing out of it is a good either.  There is a possibility of a backlash in some communities and I don't think enabling this is a good tactic.  My vote is for low key on keeping this movie going, but people should follow their own conscience on what they do to keep this beauty rolling.  Just keep it coming from the heart!

[Al***]

It would be great to see some comments from all those movie goers in line to see BBM in Sandy, Utah, so if anyone comes across any please let us know!

[hepwa]

If I were one of Larry Miller's shareholders, I'd be might upset -- he breaks a contract and then turns away a potential windfall of revenue.

Plus, his same theatre complex shows "Hostel", a disgusting, wanna-be snuff film designed to titillate those who are looking for new ways to see people get mutilated.  I think if there's a moral quandary, it would revolve around showing or worse, desiring to see, a movie like this.  I guess it's all how you define pornography.

[Scootmaroo]

Aboslutly, Hepwa.....The point about Hostel and Grandma's boy playing at the same theatre, one of which glorifies sado-masochistic torture, and the other about Mama Partridge getting stoned and bedding a lad fifty years her junior (not that there is anything WRONG with that, mind you, but it gets the point accross) needs to be stressed in all articles/communiques about this. Sheer and utter hypocricy.

[zach]

How can they be called the Utah 'Jazz'?  I thought that the only music in that state was from the Tabernachle Choir.  There must not be any taxpayer subsidies of the Jazz, otherwise he wouldn't be able to get away with this.  That team is a joke anyway.