I got a phone call today from IFC. Apparently, Mr. Mark Cuban (the very wealthy owner of the Dallas Mavericks) has decided to pull our movie from the Landmark Theater chain (which he owns) because his TV station, HDNET, wasn't able to get on Comcast (which is airing the film as a Video-on-Demand title starting this Wednesday). The film was set to open this Friday at a Landmark Theater in Berkeley. Postcards have been made and sent out. Posters have been put up. Articles have been written. But he has decided to nix our screening (on a whim?). People are going to show up to the theater, and will be told: "Sorry, Mr. Mark Cuban decided he didn't want this particular film playing at his movie theater, because IFC Films is distributing it, and they have a video-on-demand deal with Comcast, which hasn't been very nice to him."
Well, dear Mr. Mark Cuban, I know nothing about your beef with the folks at Comcast (I've never met the gentlemen) but I made a film which your theater has advertised as opening this Friday, and I would argue that it's not exactly considerate to just cancel the screening (without warning) only a few days before it's set to open. There are people who have nothing to do with your Comcast disagreement who will be adversely affected by your peremptory actions. I know you can afford it (financially speaking), but it strikes me as not exactly in keeping with the high moral standard you yourself set in the Enron movie you produced (which I thought was excellent, by the way, my congratulations on that). I sincerely hope that you will reconsider your decision. Perhaps you didn't realize the effect that your decision would have on others who wish both you and the Dallas Mavericks nothing but the best.
Yours Truly,
Caveh Zahedi
posted by Caveh Zahedi at
4:04 PM
