Terrorists have won the battle to prevent the movie “The Interview” from hitting theaters next week.
Sony scrapped the Dec. 25 release of the comedy about killing the leader of North Korea. They caved to an oppressive dictator’s failure to grasp the concept of satire.
The studio made the decision yesterday because several major theaters said they wouldn’t display the film after hackers threatened to blow up cinemas who show it. These are the same hackers responsible for thousands of emails released online detailing private conversations between Sony bigwigs.
Once the Communist country got wind of the film this past summer, it warned that if the movie was released they would consider it “an act of war.”
Who would have thought funnymen Seth Rogen and James Franco, the film’s stars, would incite such anger in a foreign leader.
The decision to pull the film for security concerns is a real lesson in how other countries don’t respect freedom of speech. It obviously shows they have no sense of humor.
Hollywood has always been able to make films without our leaders getting involved. In this case, North Korea proved how it can take its limits on free speech and impose them on us. This should not be tolerated. Now it is time for the U.S. government to get involved with Hollywood to support their rights protected under the Constitution.
Maybe Dennis Rodman could give Kim Jong Un a call and explain how American humor works? Rodman might also mention that President Obama didn’t produce the film. Maybe Rodman could set up a basketball game between the leaders and see if they can work this thing out.
North Korea’s repressive society shouldn’t impact entertainment here in the U.S.
When movies are made for an international audience it seems free speech can be tampered by threats of terrorism.
The movies produced out of Hollywood do not reflect the foreign policies of the United States. In fact, when a State Department official was asked about the possible blowback from North Korea they said the decision was up to Sony.
Take note of that, Kim Jong.
Jaclyn Cashman is co-host of “Morning Meeting” on Boston Herald Radio.
Copyright © 2024 Jaclyn Cashman.
