It was truly troubling when craven hackers punched holes in Sony Pictures Entertainment, data dumping private email and employees’ personal information for anyone with an Internet connection to peruse, but when the so-called Guardians of Peace successfully got Sony to shelve THE INTERVIEW, it was shocking. Fortunately, the nation’s independent cinemas stepped up, offering a couple hundred screens in defiance of the terrorists. The latest Seth Rogan/James Franco comedy/bromance is not in Laemmle Theatres’ wheelhouse, but of course we feel rather strongly about the First Amendment and are pleased to open THE INTERVIEW at the Music Hall on Christmas Day, the NoHo 7 on January 31 and the Playhouse 7 on New Year’s Day.
Greg Laemmle has been speaking with the media, including NPR, about this extraordinary turn of events. “Do we as art house theaters have a particular axe to grind with North Korea? No. Do we have a particular reason to support raunchy, R-rated comedies? No. But we do see some real problems in the idea that someone lurking in the shadows can shut down the release of material they don’t like.”
What’s more, the excellent Korean fusion food truck Rice Balls of Fire will be at the Music Hall Christmas Day. They are also going to cater our Sing-Along FIDDLER ON THE ROOF screening tonight at the Playhouse.