In protest of the current political climate, where alternative facts are the norm and the media is the enemy of the people, nearly 200 theaters across the country are screening the dystopian movie 1984, based on George Orwell's novel of the same name. It will only be showing today, April 4, the date that 1984's protagonist, rebel Winston Smith, begins writing in his forbidden diary.
According to UnitedStatesOfCinema.com:
Orwell's portrait of a government that manufactures their own facts, demands total obedience, and demonizes foreign enemies, has never been timelier. 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.' By doing what they do best – showing a movie – the goal is that cinemas can initiate a much-needed community conversation at a time when the existence of facts, and basic human rights are under attack. Through nationwide participation and strength in numbers, these screenings are intended to galvanize people at the crossroads of cinema and community, and bring us together to foster communication and resistance against current efforts to undermine the most basic tenets of our society."
Here is a list of participating theaters nationwide, as well as in the UK, Sweden, New Zealand, Holland, and Croatia.