Canadian theatres to screen '1984' in response to Trump administration

1984/IMDb

Creatives claim they can change the world with their art. Instead, what often ends up changing is not the world but our perception of it.

“The United State of Cinema,” the leaders of a politically minded grassroots movement in the US, have come to terms with that fact, and have decided to screen 1984, the adaptation of the George Orwell novel that forecasted mass surveillance and totalitarian government, in various theatres across North America as a way to re-contextualize the Trump administration.

1984. Image: IMDb

“The endeavor encourages theaters to take a stand for our most basic values: freedom of speech, respect for our fellow human beings, and the simple truth that there are no such things as alternative facts,” reads the mission statement on their website.

Put another way, over 140 independent cinemas will use 1984 as a way to troll Trump.

Here’s yet another chance to stand up for what you believe in, and this time you get to watch one of history’s most prescient films.

The screenings take place on April 4th, 2017.

Why April 4th? According to the United States of Cinema website, this date was chosen because it represents, “The Day George Orwell’s protagonist Winston Smith begins rebelling against his oppressive government by keeping a forbidden diary.”

So far, there are four Canadian theatres participating. Two in Vancouver, one in Toronto, and another in Waterloo. Showtimes and ticket prices vary.

Here’s a list of our participating theatres:

Rio Theatre, Vancouver BC
VIFF Vancity Theatre, Vancouver BC
The Royal, Toronto ON
Original Princess Cinema, Waterloo ON

For more information about the initiative, head here. For tickets, please visit the participating theatres’ websites.

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