THE INTERVIEW....FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION Updated Dec 25, 2014

by Ben B.Boothe, Sr. | ‎Wednesday, December 24, 2014, 7:42 AM (CST)

The Interview: Sony's North Korea film to be screened in US MOVIES, on You Tube, NetFlix, and Google Play

Updated Report, 12/25/2014

 

Only Americans can do it like this.  The Interview, has opened in ways that could change the way movies are released in the future, by-passing the locked in "Studio Distribution System" which has dominated the industry for decades. This may be a new "crack" of the giant studios in monopolizing the film industry of America.  

The movie is being shown throughout the USA in 300+ independent theaters, but also has the largest internet presence of any new release of record. Thus it is now being watched throughout the world, in every nation...well, except North Korea, their internet seems to be hacked these days. But most of the people in North Korea can't afford high speed internet anyway, so most of them don't "get" the movie.

No doubt the CD's will be smuggled into the country by the thousands.  

The Interview, a raunchy, comedy of crude adolescent humor, ironically got an "adolescent" response from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.  Kim Jong-un is like the Rodney Dangerfield of national leaders, "I can't get no respect" except in a nation where he controls the army,  the guns, the movies, the internet. 

Kim Jong-un is young, and like his father demands that the people of North Korea admire and respect him, and he and his wife watch a lot of what goes on in America.  He and his father have built a legacy of paranoia, as well as a legacy of trying to convince the North Korean people that Kim Jong-un are celebrities to be admired.  Kim Jon-un continues to show press releases indicating the adoring North Korean people loving and applauding him as you can see below in this article. But his behavior regarding this film was as "adolescent" as the movie.  Indeed, North Korea's actions, have set the stage to establish THE INTERVIEW, as an iconic 'must see' film that will now be a part of history.  

The people of Korea have a right to admire him if they want, he is a young man still learning, give the guy a chance. It is their nation (or at least it should be). We hope one day that the people will have the freedom and rights to truly express their feelings about their country in a free vote, and to climb out of the years of poverty and hardship North Korea has experienced, but non the less, it is their nation, their lives and to some extent their choice who they will love and admire.  But Kim Jong-un and his father pressed a legacy that  consistently blamed the USA for every problem, every issue, every thing that goes wrong or is bad in the world. They have threatened and declared war on the United States so many times, it has become boring, and most observers of the world discount their temper tantrums as "adolescent"...again, like the movie.  Adolescent, Meaning, shallow, light, of little maturity, not to be taken seriously.   But the U.S. does watch North Korea, simply because it is erratic and often unstable.  The country does have weapons and is thus, constantly monitored by many nations in the region. At some point, the USA might consider trying to ease Kim Jong Un's feelings, by meeting with he and his wife, and let them know that we do not have to be enemies.  This will take the wisdom of Soloman and the patience of Job, but it is worth considering.  As a friend, we could help this young ruler to mature into a great leader.  But first he must understand that the USA will not be dictated to, by him or his worshipful hackers. 

Mr. Kim and his wife are coming to realize how dear, and how important, the concept of "Freedom of Speech" is for Americans.  We Americans may not particularly like all that is said, or every movie that is made, in our nation. But we will fight with all that is within us to protect the rights of our citizens to exercise freedom of speech.  Thus, Americans were proud of President Obama, when he said, that Sony made a mistake by "pulling the film" because Kim Jon-un of North Korea didn't like the film.  He didn't like being the butt of the joke. But we Americans just assume that public figures, by being "out there" voluntarily make themselves targets for jokes, criticism, and yes, even movies that may attack their egos.  Every leader who stands up on the world stage of politics must endure criticism and even mockery.  This movie and the events surrounding it may help Kim Jong-un to mature and grow up. 

We at BootheGlobalPerspectives, applaud the move, by theater owners throughout the nation, who have said: "We will show the film, we believe in freedom of speech, and no leader of another nation will take our freedom of expression away."  Good for them. Good for us.  

Mr. Kim Jong-un, our message to you is:

"Take a deep breath. Don't take yourself or your self made legend about yourself so seriously. Live and let live. And don't mess with our freedom of speech, it is what makes us different from your nation." 

Sony (Japanese owned) has released the film and it is showing surprising distribution demand. 

This is after hundreds of theaters said: "We want the film, and we will show it. We will not be bullied by Kim Jon-un". The Interview is being shown in hundreds of  independent US cinemas on Thursday (Christmas Day).  Ironically, it could be that the very activities of North Korea, has created a "back lash" that could make this film an iconic success, even a part of history.  Alas, that is the way Americans are, when someone messes with our "Freedom of Speech".  The Japanese executives at Sony, may be intimidated by Korean threats and bully talk, but the American people are not.

Jean Cocteau Cinema, Santa FeAs for me and my wife Saneh (Who also happens to be an actress) , you can count on it, we will make a special trip to the Jean Cocteau Cinema, Santa Fe, New Mexico, to see The Interview, my guess is that it will be sold out for every screening, even though it is Christmas Day. 

Sony Chairman Michael Lynton said he was "excited" that the comedy, about a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, would now be seen.

Over 200 theaters from  Atlanta to Austin to Santa Fe, all across the nation have already revealed screenings and the number is growing by the hour. Sony has never seen such a public demand as this.  

The message to Korea epitomized by actress Saneh Boothe's statement: 'Don't mess with our movies, our arts, our freedom of speech'. 

Saneh Boothe

They said via social media that Sony Pictures had authorized them to show the film, which has been at the center of escalating tensions between the US and North

Korea.  Typical of announcements all of the USA, were the announcement from the Alamo Drafthouse cinema in Austin, Texas: 

"Breaking news," tweeted Tim League, founder of the Alamo Drafthouse cinema in Austin.

"Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour."

Some have posted in bold letters:  'Freedom prevailed'

White House put out a statement: "President Barack Obama applauded Sony's decision and that the US was a country that believes in free speech".

Seth Rogen, who directed and starred in the film, tweeted: "The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up!"

Sony, in deference to it's chicken hearted lawyers,  had previously announced that the film's release would be pulled completely, following a hacking attack on the company and threats against cinema chains that planned to screen the film. The American people didn't buy that argument, and Sony's owners learned another lesson about America.  The decision by Sony has attracted complaints and criticism from throughout the nation, especially journalists, the movie industry and patriots. For once, even the "Tea Party Crowd" was in agreement with President Obama on this one. Korea's hacking was an attack on Freedom of Expression. 

The film was branded an "act of war" by North Korea   We share with you the following, and credit the following to BBC.

Analysis: Alastair Leithead, Los Angeles

What started out as a Christmas comedy caper has become quite the seasonal thriller. It's got everything: cyber-attacks, terror threats and an international incident between America and North Korea, but all of it is a drama Sony Pictures could do without.

The company has been through a lot in the last month, and has now backtracked on its decision to pull the film completely. As yet the big theatres have still not said when, or whether, they might screen the film.

Sony Pictures Entertainment has been hit hard - first by the embarrassment of personal emails being dumped online. But as the seriousness of the cyber-attack unfolded, it also became clear that the personal details of thousands of staff and former-employees had been stolen - opening the door to class-action lawsuits.

Unreleased films leaked online, and then the pulling of a major movie, could cost tens of millions of dollars - let alone the price for the computer network repairs and beefed-up security.

It's a still-unfolding script to a drama the critics might even slam for being a little too far-fetched.

'First step'

Hundreds of independently-owned theaters had signed a petition expressing support for the film and its screening. However, major movie chains in the US are thought unlikely to take part in the release at this stage.

Mr Lynton said: "We are continuing our efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so this movie can reach the largest possible audience." He also said he "hoped it would be the first step of the film's release". The company has yet to reveal further details of its release plans, but there is also speculation that video on-demand (VOD) will be offered as part of the package.

Sony's decision to show the film came hours after North Korea suffered a severe internet outage that effectively shut down its internet services for 10 hours.

North Korea says the film hurts the "dignity of its supreme leadership". It was not clear what caused this. North Korean officials have not commented on the issue. The country's internet services appeared to suffer a second outage on Tuesday afternoon, but they were restored in under an hour, an internet monitoring company said.

US officials have declined to comment on who might have been responsible for the shutdown.

Mr Obama has previously vowed to respond to a hacking attack on Sony, which led to sensitive data and unreleased film material being leaked.

The US said an FBI investigation showed that North Korea was responsible for the cyber attack on Sony - claims denied by North Korea.

The Interview saga

The Interview features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists granted an audience with Mr Kim. The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him.

(BGP Comment:  Let's just watch. This movie will be sold as CD's, videos, it will be on TV, and our prediction is that it will be on NetFlix. Korea's ill advised actions  should give that nation pause to know something. The USA is special, and American's regardless of political persuasion, will fight for "freedom of speech" and "freedom of artistic expression".  Mr. Kim, learn by this.

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