Film criticising Fox News secures US cinema release

A CONTROVERSIAL documentary accusing Fox News of political bias is to be shown in US cinemas, following its success as a DVD release.

The DVD has become one of the biggest sellers on the Amazon retail website.

Directed by Robert Greenwald, it has also been screened during the Democratic National Convention in Boston, and by other political organisations.

It accuses Fox News of a right-wing bias and highlights the dangers of large corporations running news outlets, alleging that public information could be controlled.

Its popularity follows on from the success of Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11.

The apparent thirst for political films saw Cinema Libre Distribution pick up the option to distribute Outfoxed to US cinemas.

But there is concern about the legal implications of the film because of its heavy use of unauthorised clips from Fox News, reports Screendaily.

The documentary-makers believe use of the unauthorised clips is covered by a “fair use” exception laid out in the First Amendment, but their claim has yet to be tested in the courts.

The vogue for political films has seen The Manchurian Candidate, a remake of the 1962 paranoid thriller about presidential assassination, become a hit at the box office.

Other upcoming films include John Sayles’ Silver City, about an imbecilic candidate apparently modelled on George W Bush, and a political satire, Team America: World Police, from the creators of the South Park cartoon series.