If there is one thing The Interview will be remembered for it will be it controversy surround the movie and not the movie itself. During the past few weeks it was reported that Sony had been hacked by a group calling themselves “Guardians of Peace”. They stole a big amount of business sensitive data. This resulted in various movies hitting the internet before their release in cinemas and both internal mails and personal details being published. Threats followed, saying that cinemas showing The Interview could face events that would remember people of 9/11. The hackers group allegedly had ties with North Korea and as the movie is about killing its leader, Kim Jung Un, it would be the reason for the hack.

Initially Sony caved into the demands and issued a statement that the movie wouldn’t be released anymore after all the big American chains pulled out of showing it. Even president Obama responded and said not showing the film wasn’t a wise choice. On Christmas evening though Sony announced that the movie would be available immediately on various VOD platforms like Youtube, Google Play en Xbox. It’s a unique situation that such a “big” movie is offered in such a way to the consumer. The next couple of weeks will show if this strategy has meant financial success for Sony. If that is the case it could open the doors to other studios releasing their movies in this way as well. It would finally give the choice to the consumer to watch the movie at home immediately or head to the cinema. But back to The Interview. Has the controversy about it been valid? Continue reading →