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UPDATE, 2:58 pm: Hollywood Theatre and Living Room Theaters have confirmed they will open The Interview starting Christmas Day. The Hollywood will screen the film at 9:45 pm Thursday, Dec. 25, while the Living Room will screen it at 9:50 pm. Both theaters have more screenings through the weekend.
ORIGINAL POST:
Last week, Sony canceled the Christmas day release of The Interview after major theater chains backed out of showing the Rogen-Franco farce that centers on a plot to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.
One Portland theater, The Academy in Montavilla, took a bold stance.
"Yes, we absolutely would play The Interview," Academy Theater manager Roslyn James told the International Business Times. "I understand why a theater in NYC wouldn't play the film, of course they're going to be sensitive to those threats. But we're an independent theater in Portland. We're so removed."
Now, The Interview is back on, with theaters in places like Cleveland and Atlanta stepping up to show the movie despite vague threats from hackers the American government has tied to North Korea.
On Twitter, the Academy is still getting love for their stand. But now the theater is walking the statement back.
"Sony has worded a letter that any theater that shows it could be tried for âcriminal negligenceâ should anything happen," says Academy spokesman Dannon Dripps. "The decision should be made soon. We have to have word from all partners.
"Assistant Manager Roslyn spoke out of turn to that reporter. She does not make any booking decisions, especially when they are potentially concerning the livelihood of the owners of the business. She talked to that person a week ago before the situation had escalated and without speaking to me or the owners. She also answered that question with the consideration that we are a second run market and would not have the film make immediately available. The decision to run the film is currently under discussion. There is no "absolute" decision by The Academy Theater one way or the other."
We've reached out to Laurelhurst Theater, CineMagic, McMenamins, Hollywood Theatre and Cinema 21 to ask if they're planning to show the movie. So far none has replied to say they're showing the movie.
We'll keep you updated with showtimes as soon as someone in Portland steps up.
UPDATE, 12:31 pm: Cinema 21 is "overbooked," and will not show the movie.
UPDATE, 12:56 pm: Lani Jo Leigh of the Clinton Street Theater wrote in with this email: "I offered to screen THE INTERVIEW although it is certainly not the type of film I would normally play to stand in solidarity with other art houses around the country who are trying to take a stand against suppression of speech and creative expression.
I can't book it because I don't have DCP capability, so instead I am having five screenings of THE GREAT DICTATOR on New Year's Day. https://cstpdx.com/show/great-dictator"
UPDATE 12:59 pm: The Fox Theatre in Dallas, Oregon is showing The Interview. Drive an hour south, then take a right turn at Salem, and you will arrive at a place that understands that freedom ain't free. We salute you, Fox Theatre of Dallas.
WWeek 2015