After the MPAA handed down a “R” rating to the Weinstein Company documentary The Tillman Story, due for a August 20 release, the filmmakers are appealing the assignment. The film’s producer John Battsek had this to say about the rating, which was given for the documentary’s “excessive language”:
“Of course there is excessive language,” Battsek said. “This is a film that follows a truly exemplary family torn apart by the death of their loved one and the barrage of government deceit they encountered in their pursuit of the honest truth. We should be looking at this film as a way to show our younger generation the power of true family values and the sometimes unfortunate failings of our government.”
Harvey Weinstein added to the outcry (Deadline’s Nikki Finke quips: “Far be it from Weinsteins to miss an opportunity to generate controversy and enjoy the ensuing free publicity for their film”) in the studio’s press release. “This is one of the most important films I’ve distributed in my career,” Weinstein wrote, “and I want my teenage daughter, and the nation’s young adults to be able to watch Pat’s story.”
Weinstein Fights MPAA Over Tillman Rating [Deadline]
