The past few weeks have been affected by disappointment and worry for Sony Corporation as hackers infiltrated their data. Further, the hackers threatened to unleash terrorist attacks on theaters that showed Sony's new film, "The Interview", causing major theaters as well as Sony to cancel the premier. Today, however, Sony announced that it will make the movie available via Internet at 10 PM PST.
Sony reached out to corporations Google and YouTube to make the film digitally available. The film will be available for rent or purchase on Google Play, YouTube Movies, and Xbox Video. Rentals will cost $6 and permanent ownership will cost $15.
"The Interview" is a comedy that portrays North Korea and its dictator, Kim Jong Un, in a humorous light. FBI officials concluded that North Korea was centrally involved in the infiltration of Sony, but North Korea denied such involvement.
Despite major theaters pulling the movie from their establishments, Sony decided to make the film available in select theaters on Tuesday. The Chicago Tribune reports that about half a dozen theaters in Illinois will show the film. Police will patrol the establishments, but will not enter the theaters.
Numerous public voices, as well as President Barrack Obama's, expressed disappointment at Sony's initial withdrawal of the film. President Obama stated that the U.S. must not let dictators impose censorship.
"We do not live in a country where a foreign dictator can start imposing censorship here in the United States," the President said last week.
Upon news of Sony's decision on Wednesday to release "The Interview", a White House official communicated the President's approval in a statement.
"The President welcomes the news that people will be able to decide for themselves whether or not to see this film, and appreciates Sony's work on this effort over the past few weeks," said Eric Shultz, deputy White House Press Secretary.
