DENVER — The Alamo Drafthouse in Littleton will be among a group of theaters across the country that will show “The Interview” on Christmas Day.
Sony announced Tuesday a release plan for the movie, which is about an assassination plot against the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. It includes special screenings at a limited number of theaters across the country.
It is widely believed Sony Pictures suffered a cyberattack last month partly because of North Korea’s fury over the movie. Sony decided last week to shelve the movie after some of the largest theater chains said they wouldn’t carry the movie.
In a statement, the Drafthouse said the first showing will be Christmas Day and the movie will be shown once a day through January.
The FBI said North Korea was behind the hack, and there was criticism from Hollywood and the White House to have the movie pulled.
The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 23, 2014
“We cannot imagine the pressures that have been affecting Sony, at all levels of the organization they have been under attack,” said Alamo Drafthouse CEO Tim League. “Amidst this unwarranted chaos, they have regrouped and listened to the public, the government and the exhibition community and responded with resolve and determination.”
Meanwhile, 6 of out 10 Americans think Sony overreacted by canceling the Christmas release of “The Interview.” And with each passing day, more of those people — including writers, independent theater owners and members of Congress — are speaking out.
But a petition titled “We the undersigned support Sony” started to pick up steam on Monday on the website Change.org. It was published by Art House Convergence, an association of independent theaters across the country.
Backers pledged to stand by Sony and “support theatrical engagements of ‘The Interview’ should Sony, at its sole discretion, decide to release it to theaters.”
It is unclear how many of the 220 signatures actually come from theater owners. But one of the signers, Josh Levin, the operator of the West End Cinema in Washington, D.C., wrote on Facebook that he had backed the petition because “I refuse to allow bullies to dictate what I can and cannot show.”
That same sentiment has been widespread on social media among people who now want to see the movie in order to make a statement. A growing number of organizations and politicians are offering to hold screenings.