in cuba, bootlegged versions of the film were shown in 120 theaters, followed by a prime-time television broadcast by the leading state-run network. it had been widely reported that this might affect its oscar eligibility, since the film was broadcast on television less than nine months after its theatrical release. however, soon after that story had been published, the academy of motion picture arts and sciences issued a statement denying this, saying, "if it was pirated or stolen or unauthorized we would not blame the producer or distributor for that". in addition, wild bunch, the film's overseas distributor for cuba, issued a statement denying a television deal had been struck with cuban television. the issue became moot, however, when moore decided to forgo oscar eligibility in favor of a pay-per-view televising of the film on november 1, 2004.