NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – After weeks of build-up Sony Pictures has released its controversial movie, The Interview. Only two local movie theaters are carrying the film. WGNO’s Darian Trotter talked to movie goers about the highly anticipated release.
Movie-goers formed a line in Chalmette. They were excited about the release
Of Sony’s The Interview.
“A lot of people said you shouldn’t and you can’t see this. We believe in the freedom of speech. America’s a free country. We’ve decided to exercise our right,” Roy Hauck said.
The Chalmette Movie Theater has a long-standing reputation for showing hard to find films. It’s one of three locations in the state of Louisiana showing the Christmas day release. Others theaters are located in Laplace and Shreveport.
“Well basically nobody else wanted to play the film. Even last week when Sony was still releasing the film a lot of the bigger chains pulled out on this film and we still wanted to play it,” Manager Ellis Fortinberry explained.
“Typically we planned a Christmas day movie and we are excited this theater is showing this movie. You know, stand up for your rights and come see a great comedy,” Bonnie Brol said.
The release comes after weeks of embarrassing leaks, threats from hackers, and controversy over the film’s depiction of the assassination of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un.
Roy Hauck says he understands why the plot doesn’t sit well with some critics.
“Because of the fact that says someone else made a movie about president Obama being killed we in turn would be offended by that,” Hauck explained.
The Interview stars Seth Rogen and James Franco, playing us journalists on a mission to carry out the assassination.
But it is a satire. That’s why some movie goers don’t agree with the critics or the controversy.
“People find everything offensive no matter what you do, because some find Christmas movies offensive, Christmas music in restaurants. You have to say happy holiday in school now you can’t say merry Christmas. So everyone’s going to be offended by something,” Emily Brol said.
“They’re great actors. It’s a great storyline. It’s going to be a lot of fun to see,” Bonnie Brol said.
People we talked to say Chalemette tickets sales were probably more about principle. They showed up, despite lack luster movie reviews.
“Yeah we’ll see at the end. It might be worth a few bucks,” Hauck said.
In a statement Sony said, “It was essential for our studio to release this movie, especially given the assault upon our business by those who wanted to stop free speech.”
The film will be shown in Chalmette multiple times a day, and for the foreseeable future.
[viralzone-“viral-block”]
