MONTREAL — It’s the story of the little cinema that could. The Dollar Cinema in Montreal will be the first — and the only — movie theatre in Quebec to feature Sony Pictures’ controversial film, The Interview.
READ MORE: ‘The Interview’ opens in Canadian cinemas Friday
Sony has confirmed the film will open in 28 theatres across Canada. The company had previously cancelled plans to show the Seth Rogen-James Franco comedy depicting the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after threats from hackers.
“I’ve been here ten and a half years and I’ve been using their movies,” Dollar Cinema owner Bernie Gurberg told Global News.
“They’ve been very good to me, trying to get me their movies as quickly as they can.”
READ MORE: How the Sony Pictures hacking scandal unfolded
It was because of this relationship that Gurberg decided to reach out to Sony, offering to show the film in his cinema.
“When I realized they were having all these problems, because I’d been with them for so long and because they’re first class, I thought, I’m going to do the right thing,” he said.
“I called them up and I told them I’d be honoured to take the movie.”
Then, unexpectedly a call came from Sony Pictures with some surprising news.
“Three days ago I get the phone call to say ‘you’ve go the movie,'” he said.
According to Gurberg, it will be the first and the only showing of The Interview in the province.
“Sony told me when they gave it to me that there’s nobody else.”
Gurberg said that he may run the film in both the theatres at the Dollar Cinema, depending on the demand for the film. One cinema has 600 seats, while the other can accommodate 500 people.
READ MORE: Activist plans to send ‘The Interview’ into North Korea via balloons
As for security issues, Gurberg said he wasn’t too concerned, as the mall had its own security services.
“It’s a family-friendly place, in all the years I’ve been here, there’s never been a problem.”
“I don’t feel I’m doing anything wrong. I’m not getting into the politics of this movie, I’m just showing it as a comedy.
“There is security in the mall here, it’s a very good company that owns the mall … then there’s me of course, and I can take on any marshmallow.”
The premiere of The Interview in Quebec is scheduled for noon on Friday. To find out movie showing times, as well as how to book tickets, visit the Dollar Cinema website here.
READ MORE: The Interview reviews
Sony also released the movie online, where it has already raked in over US$15 million in online rentals and purchases since its last-minute Christmas Day release.
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