“The Interview” triggers controversy

Claire Bentley, Arts & Trends Editor

Written and starring comedians James Franco and Seth Rogen, “The Interview” is a satirical film made to poke fun at North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Un, who, in the movie, is the target of an assassination plot by Franco’s and Rogen’s characters.

When North Korea threatened Sony that movie theaters showing “The Interview” across the U.S. would be targeted, the company halted the original release of the movie, until Dec. 24, 2014, when it was released online and to select theaters.

Although many looked forward to seeing “The Interview,” it quickly drew various controversial remarks. Many were in favor of the movie because it gave a comedic view to a hostile dictator’s fictional assassination, but many believe that it mocked the people of North Korea, who live in constant fear and oppression, and in no right deserve to be seen as unintelligent, absentminded people by the rest of the world.

South Korean journalist Choe Sang-Hun spoke about the topic in a New York Times article. He disclosed that the few defectors in North Korea are finding ways to view the movie and pass it along in secrecy, and those in South Korea who have seen it build mixed opinions. Many were offended that the United States openly demeans North Korea’s people.

What most people don’t realize about North Korea’s government is that they operate with propaganda and fear. They know that they cannot withstand a military invasion from a first world power, so they make threats that they can’t carry out. Because of cause-and-effect, the international community responds actively.

The atrocities that are going on in North Korea are not as real to the international community because it is overshadowed by the public perceiving North Korea as a cartoon villain, especially to those who are have not been educated about the horrific realities of North Korea’s people. So, when North Korea does something legitimately dangerous, such as missile tests in Japanese waters, it without warning or caution.

The release of The Interview has created a mockery of a truly horrifying country, and millions are spending money to watch it for a laugh rather than to understand the significance of an Orwellian country in present day and spread awareness.