‘The Interview’ premieres in Canadian theatres

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(Updated)

The film that has sparked the biggest controversy in Hollywood landed at one of the smallest theatres in Oakville, Friday.

The Interview, starring Seth Rogen, and James Franco is a satirical comedy surrounding a plot to murder the president of North Korea Kim Jong-un.

It sparked global concern and outrage, after accusations that North Korea had hacked Sony Pictures, and was threatening violence against theatres that screened the movie.

We went to Film.ca in Oakville this evening and took in one of the first screenings of the film, in our viewing area.

It was a small and quiet crowd on hand this afternoon to watch the film. And whether it was truly offensive or not, may be more a matter of perspective, than intent.

It’s the hottest ticket in town right now. Or at least, the most talked about.

The Interview is well shot, well acted, and somewhat restrained when compared to other Seth Rogen films. But is it really a serious attack on the regime of Kim Jong-un?

Jack Knoll, theatre owner: It’s a lot of fluff. I think that the bottom line is that it’s parody, it’s comedy, it’s just entertainment.”

To be sure, the film portrays the North Korean leader as a lying, manipulative, psychopath. But at times, it is equally critical of U.S. foreign policy. Despite that, Sony took the shadowy threats of violence surrounding the film seriously, and cancelled distribution in North America, which in turn brought heavy criticism of the film studio, including a rebuke from U.S. President Obama.

The result was a hybrid distribution, mostly on line, with a minimal number of Canadian screens showing the film in theatres. Owner Jack Knoll says, he was never concerned about the safety of his guests: “If our guests want to see a film, then we think it’s important to bring it. We provide entertainment, we’re not here to make political statements, we’re not here to further the agenda. We’re here to provide fun, entertainment for our guests.”

And for those who sat through the afternoon screening, the risk was minimal, and the reward satisfactory:

“I think it was worthwhile seeing it and it was a good movie.”

“I’m definitely glad that I saw it. I probably wouldn’t watch it again anytime soon. It was kind of offensive. OK, not kind of — it was very offensive.”

“You really have to get into it before you get a feeling as to what it’s all about. But I’ll probably think a lot about it on the way home.”

“If you did a movie like President Obama. Like we had White House Down last year and another one where the North Koreans come in their plane and attack the White House. And everyone said it’s a great American Ooh Ra Ra film. But I but if you had the President being killed at the end of the film, they wouldn’t find it nearly as funny.”