Katie Marsal
In attempt to make its controversial film "The Interview" available to view on Christmas Day, Sony Pictures reportedly pursued a deal with Apple that was brokered by the White House itself, but the timetable to place it on iTunes was apparently too aggressive.
Sony's behind-the-scenes efforts to put the motion picture before the eyes of the public on its originally intended release date were revealed by The New York Times. Citing people familiar with the matter, it was said that Sony sought a singular deal with Apple, but the company "was not interested, at least on a speedy time table."
Apple declined to comment, but the report claimed that Sony had actually asked the White House for help in brokering a deal.
Other potential technology partners were said to be concerned that they could become hacking targets if they were to release the film, which depicts actors Seth Rogen and James Franco as journalists instructed to assassinate Kim Jong-Un, the leader of North Korea.
Offended by the premise of the movie, hackers said to be from North Korea compromised Sony Pictures Entertainment and threatened to attack theaters that played the film. That led major theater chains to announce that they would not be showing the movie on its opening day of Christmas, even though the U.S. government said there was no credible terrorist threat.
How we are getting ready for Christmas Day... #TheInterviewMovie pic.twitter.com/HA6LsV7pAL
— Alamo Austin (@drafthouse) December 24, 2014Sony responded by canceling the release of the film, which drew sharp criticism from free speech advocates, including President Barack Obama. The pressure compelled Sony to investigate avenues for releasing the film on its originally intended opening day, which apparently led to the White House brokering talks with Apple that didn't pan out.
In the end, "The Interview" will see a limited release at selected cinemas on Dec. 25 after all. In particular, the group Art House Convergence has agreed to play the film at about 250 small theaters around the U.S.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
110 Comments
Hmmmm... Surprised they couldn't make his happen. Not like I want to see the movie, but still.
Your corporatist government at work.
I don't think it's hacking fears which are compelling the rejection across multiple online services including iTunes. It's already a seriously busy day of the year for bandwidth - all those people on their new devices, between software updates, media and new software downloads, adding a highly publicised film with little more than last-minute preparations is a recipe for disaster on any service. That's before we recognise the DDOS attacks that will likely take place. We've already seen how much traffic keynotes and iOS updates create, and those are with long prep schedules.
[quote name="daveinpublic" url="/t/184037/sony-wanted-the-interview-on-itunes-for-christmas-but-apple-rejected-fast-timetable#post_2654659"]Hmmmm... Surprised they couldn't make his happen. Not like I want to see the movie, but still.[/quote] I agree, seems odd.
David Carr had a good take on it -- Americans should have stepped in and made it available online, everywhere. squash those who would attempt to silence our freedom of speech.
The industry, old and new, digital and analog, should step across a line together, holding hands with consumers and letting the world know that we prize our goofy movies, along with the important ones, and the freedoms that they represent. If disparate competitors managed to set aside self-interest and acted for the common good, it could be the social viewing event of the century. I’d do anything to do my bit for artistic freedom, including watching a buddy-movie comedy that stars Mr. Rogen and James Franco.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/22/business/media/hacking-at-sony-over-the-interview-reveals-hollywoods-failings-too.html?_r=0