The Interview Becomes Sony's Best-Selling Online Film

The controversial comedy 'The Interview' about North Korea has become Sony's best-selling online film after the company halted its release due to cyberattacks and then agreed to distribute it. Sony Pictures announced on January 6 that 'The Interview' has generated $31 million in online sales and other small formats, making it the company's top-selling online film. The total revenue of the film (including limited theatrical release) has reached $36 million, nearing its total budget of $44 million. According to reports from AFP and Sony's data, the film has been sold 4.3 million times across cable, satellite, phone networks, and the internet. This figure was achieved in a period from December 24 to January 4, which is less than two weeks. Additionally, 580 theaters have contributed $5 million to its earnings. The Sony comedy, which became controversial in recent weeks, tells the story of a fictional CIA operation to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The online sales of the film are approaching its total budget of $44 million within two weeks. The film's release, originally scheduled for winter, was halted due to widespread cyberattacks and what Sony described as security threats from the attackers. The U.S. officially blamed North Korea for these attacks, which North Korea has denied. During this time, internet access in North Korea, which is available to a limited group in the country, was completely cut off. U.S. government officials and a group of Hollywood stars called for the film to be released, even online. American actor George Clooney stated, 'Even if it is, the film 'The Interview' should be shown online because no one can tell us that we shouldn't see it just because it is about Kim Jong-un.' President Barack Obama also called for the film's release, while the White House imposed new sanctions against Pyongyang in response to the cyberattacks. However, the situation continued to evolve. North Korea reacted to the film's release, with its National Defense Commission issuing a statement that included racist language, saying, 'Obama always speaks carelessly and behaves like a monkey in a tropical forest.' In any case, the online release of the film continues alongside its limited theatrical release. In this context, Sony Pictures began showing 'The Interview' online, amidst North Korea's racist insults towards the U.S. President and the intensification of U.S. sanctions against North Korea in response to the cyberattack.