The Interview to screen in some Canadian theatres

Sony Pictures has released a list of selected Canadian theatres that will be screening The Interview across the country starting this Friday.

Sony initially pulled the movie after hackers linked to North Korea threatened violence if the movie was screened and major theatre chains, out of security concerns, decided not to show the film.

Sony then released the film online and authorized the release of the movie to some 200 independent U.S. theatres with screenings beginning on Christmas Day.

The following cinemas are screening the film.

British Columbia:

• Carib Theatre, Quesnel, B.C.
• Paradise Cinemas, Williams Lake, B.C.
• Grand, Salmon Arm, B.C.
• Hollywood Surrey, Surrey, B.C.
• Hollywood Pitt Meadows, Pitt Meadows, B.C.
• Towne Theatre, Vernon, B.C.
• Cottonwood Cinema, Chilliwack, B.C.

Alberta:

• Leduc Cinema, Leduc, Alta.
• Wetaskiwin Cinema, Wetaskiwin, Alta.
• River City Cinema, Peace River, Alta.
• Carnival Cinemas, Red Deer, Alta.
• Movie Mill, Lethbridge, Alta.Plaza Theatre, Calgary

Saskatchewan: 

• Rainbow Cinemas, Regina
• Roxy, Saskatoon

Manitoba:

• Cinema Centre, Portage La Prairie, Man.

Ontario:

• Oakville Mews, Oakville, Ont.
• Mayfair Theatre, Ottawa
• Cine Starz Orleans, Ottawa
• Cine Starz Mississauga, Mississauga, Ont.
• Carlton Cinema, Toronto
• Rainbow St Laurent, Ottawa
• Lakeshore Cinema, Windsor
• Uptown, Barrie, Ont.
• Algonquin Cinemas, Pembroke, Ont.

Quebec:

• Dollar Cinema, Montreal

New Brunswick:

• Northshore Cinema, Campbellton, N.B.

Magic Lantern Theatres, which also owns Rainbow Cinemas, will be showing the controversial movie in five locations — Ottawa, Toronto, Regina, Saskatoon and Peace River, Alta. 

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"The fact that it's being shown in those centres only has nothing to do with anything other than screen availability," said Tom Hutchinson, a spokesman for Magic Lantern Theatres. 

He said when Sony Pictures announced that it would be pulling the film, Magic Lantern Theatres had to fill in the gaps in their cinemas with other films. 

Asked why they are screening the film, Hutchinson said: "I would turn that around the other way. What would have made us decide not to? It's sort of B-grade comedy that some of our audiences like."

He added that they have no security concerns.

Sony Pictures said on Sunday that the The Interview had been purchased or rented online more than two million times, generating more than $15 million US in the first four days after the comedy's wide theatrical release was shelved.