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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| The Interview: Obama hails move to screen North Korea film | The Interview: Obama hails move to screen North Korea film |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has welcomed a decision by Sony to screen a comedy about North Korea in a limited number of US cinemas on Christmas Day. | US President Barack Obama has welcomed a decision by Sony to screen a comedy about North Korea in a limited number of US cinemas on Christmas Day. |
| He had earlier criticised Sony for pulling the film following a cyber-attack and threats against cinemas. | He had earlier criticised Sony for pulling the film following a cyber-attack and threats against cinemas. |
| The US has accused North Korea of being behind the cyber-attack. | The US has accused North Korea of being behind the cyber-attack. |
| The film is expected to show in 200 mostly independent and art-house cinemas on Thursday. Hackers have threatened fresh attacks. | The film is expected to show in 200 mostly independent and art-house cinemas on Thursday. Hackers have threatened fresh attacks. |
| Mr Obama had called Sony's earlier decision to cancel the film's release a "mistake". | Mr Obama had called Sony's earlier decision to cancel the film's release a "mistake". |
| His spokesman, Eric Schultz, said in a statement that the president applauded the change of mind. | His spokesman, Eric Schultz, said in a statement that the president applauded the change of mind. |
| "As the president made clear, we are a country that believes in free speech, and the right of artistic expression," the statement said. | "As the president made clear, we are a country that believes in free speech, and the right of artistic expression," the statement said. |
| "The decision made by Sony and participating theatres allows people to make their own choices about the film, and we welcome that outcome." | "The decision made by Sony and participating theatres allows people to make their own choices about the film, and we welcome that outcome." |
| North Korea has denied that it was behind the cyber-attack on Sony. But it praised the attack and had long condemned The Interview, which depicts a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. | North Korea has denied that it was behind the cyber-attack on Sony. But it praised the attack and had long condemned The Interview, which depicts a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. |
| The Interview was originally due to be released on up to 3,000 screens on Christmas Day. | The Interview was originally due to be released on up to 3,000 screens on Christmas Day. |
| Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton said his company had "never given up" on a release, and was continuing efforts to have the film shown more widely. | Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton said his company had "never given up" on a release, and was continuing efforts to have the film shown more widely. |
| Analysis: Alastair Leithead, Los Angeles | Analysis: Alastair Leithead, Los Angeles |
| What started out as a Christmas comedy caper has become quite the seasonal thriller. It's got everything: cyber-attacks, terror threats and an international incident between America and North Korea, but all of it is a drama Sony Pictures could do without. | What started out as a Christmas comedy caper has become quite the seasonal thriller. It's got everything: cyber-attacks, terror threats and an international incident between America and North Korea, but all of it is a drama Sony Pictures could do without. |
| The company has been through a lot in the last month, and has now backtracked on its decision to pull the film completely. As yet the big theatres have still not said when, or whether, they might screen the film. | The company has been through a lot in the last month, and has now backtracked on its decision to pull the film completely. As yet the big theatres have still not said when, or whether, they might screen the film. |
| Sony Pictures Entertainment has been hit hard - first by the embarrassment of personal emails being dumped online. But as the seriousness of the cyber-attack unfolded, it also became clear that the personal details of thousands of staff and former-employees had been stolen - opening the door to class-action lawsuits. | Sony Pictures Entertainment has been hit hard - first by the embarrassment of personal emails being dumped online. But as the seriousness of the cyber-attack unfolded, it also became clear that the personal details of thousands of staff and former-employees had been stolen - opening the door to class-action lawsuits. |
| Unreleased films leaked online, and then the pulling of a major movie, could cost tens of millions of dollars - let alone the price for the computer network repairs and beefed-up security. | Unreleased films leaked online, and then the pulling of a major movie, could cost tens of millions of dollars - let alone the price for the computer network repairs and beefed-up security. |
| It's a still-unfolding script to a drama the critics might even slam for being a little too far-fetched. | It's a still-unfolding script to a drama the critics might even slam for being a little too far-fetched. |
| Earlier, Seth Rogen, who directed and starred in the film, tweeted: "The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up!" | Earlier, Seth Rogen, who directed and starred in the film, tweeted: "The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up!" |
| Co-star James Franco added: "Victory! The people and the president have spoken!" | |
| Hundreds of independently-owned theatres had signed a petition expressing support for the film and its screening. | Hundreds of independently-owned theatres had signed a petition expressing support for the film and its screening. |
| Criticism of Sony had also come from Congress and from Hollywood, with some calling the initial decision an attack on freedom of expression. | Criticism of Sony had also come from Congress and from Hollywood, with some calling the initial decision an attack on freedom of expression. |
| In recent days North Korea has suffered severe internet outages, though it is not clear what caused the disruption. President Obama had previously vowed to respond to the cyber-attack against Sony, but US officials declined to comment on whether the US was responsible. | In recent days North Korea has suffered severe internet outages, though it is not clear what caused the disruption. President Obama had previously vowed to respond to the cyber-attack against Sony, but US officials declined to comment on whether the US was responsible. |
| The Interview saga | The Interview saga |
| The Interview features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists granted an audience with Mr Kim. The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him. | The Interview features James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists granted an audience with Mr Kim. The CIA then enlists the pair to assassinate him. |
| Are you planning to watch a screening of the film? What do you think about Sony's earlier decision to cancel the film's release? You can share your views by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
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