Na het censureren van de film "The Interview" van Sony Pictures vreest de filmindustrie het einde van de vrije meningsuiting.
Hackers van GOP (Guardians of Peace) waarschuwden de productie niet in de filmzalen te tonen, ze dreigden met een "11 september"-aanval.
AFP - Movie world fears for freedom of speech as N.Korea parody pulled
Sony Pictures' decision to cancel the release of its madcap comedy about North Korea after threats from hackers has caused consternation in the movie world and triggered concerns about freedom of expression.
"The Interview", starring James Franco and Seth Rogen and depicting a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un, had been due to hit US cinemas on December 25.
But after warnings from the so-called GOP (Guardians of Peace) hacking group -- invoking the September 11, 2001 attacks -- a number of US cinema chains cancelled plans to screen the film.
As more chains confirmed they would follow suit, Sony on Wednesday threw in the towel and pulled the film, in a decision described by former long-time Cannes Film Festival president Gilles Jacob as "onerous... both for the studio and freedom of expression".
Movie world figures said the fate of "The Interview" was unparalleled and set a dangerous precedent, pointing out that even Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988), which sparked demonstrations in the US, was still shown.
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