Now, I usually love a good Seth Rogen flick. His notorious comedy brat pack, James Franco included, have transformed the classic stoner movie and sent it crashing into the 21st century. Characters typically retain a casual attitude in the face of catastrophe and no situation is deemed too gross or morally repugnant to be approached in their comedies. In fact, one may state the exact opposite to be the case. However, the promoted assassination of any existing world leader, not the least Kim Jong-Un, is a worrying plot-line for a movie to take.
Let's take a look at the film's synopsis:
''In the action-comedy The Interview, Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show "Skylark Tonight." When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the two least-qualified men imaginable, to assassinate Kim Jong-Un''
The Korean Central News Agency have threatened 'merciless' retaliation against the United States if the film, directed by Evan Goldberg, is ever released in theatres. A statement from the North Korean foreign ministry explains their outrage as, ''making and releasing a movie on a plot to hurt our top-level leadership is the most blatant act of terrorism and war and will absolutely not be tolerated."
Threats of war are nothing new from the North Korean dictatorial regime. We are talking about the same guys who tried to spark international outrage over the promotion of Kim Jong-Un styled hair-cuts in Ealing. However, is their outrage actually justified this time? It seems that the movie may display a disappointing level of propaganda in the traditional American pro-Western democracy style. Which is very ironic, considering that a main critique from the US levelled against dictatorial regimes such as Kim Jong-Un's is the heavy stream of government propaganda needed to keep these regimes functioning.
Though I strongly doubt that Evan Goldberg had sinister intentions when directing this movie, the impact could in fact be the promotion and glamorisation of terrorism against the North Korean regime amongst the general viewing public, which could have very sinister consequences. The North Koreans have a right to be angry, where the US is yet again attempting to undermine their government's sovereignty by the promotion of this film, in a way that any other government would not be expected to stand for. Can you imagine the disgust if the roles were reversed and the Koreans were making a movie lauding the assassination of President Obama? Would that not also be categorized as a 'terrorist act' by the US government and intelligence agencies?
I therefore believe the film should be locked up with the key thrown away. However, voices supporting artistic freedom may disagree and I cannot say I would not join them in watching 'The Interview' out of sheer curiosity if it is released in theatres in October.