NEW YORK: The Walt Disney Company is blocking the distribution of a new documentary by Michael Moore that harshly criticizes President Bush, executives at both Disney and its Miramax film division told the New York Times.

The film, "Fahrenheit 911," criticizes Mr Bush's actions before and after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks. Michael Moore, who will present the film at the Cannes film festival this month, slammed Disney's decision in an interview with the Times, saying, "At some point the question has to be asked, 'should this be happening in a free and open society where the monied interests essentially call the shots regarding the information that the public is allowed to see?'"

Mr Moore's films, like "Roger and Me" and "Bowling for Columbine" are often a political lightning rod, as Mr Moore sets out to skewer what he says are the misguided priorities of conservatives and big business.

They have also often performed well at the box office. His most recent movie, "Bowling for Columbine," took in about $22 million in North America for United Artists.

His books, like "Stupid White Men," a jeremiad against the Bush administration that has sold more than a million copies, have also been lucrative the, newspaper said.

Mr Moore does not disagree that "Fahrenheit 911" is highly charged, but he took issue with the description of it as partisan, the paper said. "If this is partisan in any way it is partisan on the side of the poor and working people in this country who provide fodder for this war machine," he said.

In a statement, Matthew Hiltzik, a spokesman for Miramax, said: "We're discussing the issue with Disney. We're looking at all of our options and look forward to resolving this amicably."

But Disney executives indicated that they would not budge from their position forbidding Miramax to be the distributor of the film in North America. Overseas rights have been sold to a number of companies, executives said.

"We advised both the agent and Miramax in May of 2003 that the film would not be distributed by Miramax," said Zenia Mucha, a company spokeswoman, referring to Mr Moore's agent. "That decision stands."