On April 4, 2017, art house movie theaters across the country (and some areas across the world such England, Sweden and Canada) are teaming up for a National Event Day that would screen the 1984 film adaptation by Michael Radford based on the 1949 novel by George Orwell, Nineteen-Eighty Four. The dystopian novel itself follows a short time in the life of Winston Smith and his awaking to the totalitarian state of Oceania, Winston’s home that is based on the country of England. When Winston begins rebelling against the government, specifically Big Brother, the leader of Oceania, and their oppressive ways, his life spirals (the spiraling done by the Inner Party – aka the wealthy 1% in today’s words – of course) out of control.
Since Donald Trump’s inauguration, the novel has become a notorious bestseller on Amazon, even leading to a complete sell out of the book. The rise of the book is in part because of Counselor of the President Kellyanne Conway’s ignition to the term ‘alternative facts’ which she used in order to defend White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s blatant lies to the press. In the book, history is essentially created; propaganda is sold the the inhabitants of Oceania.
In one way or another, it can also be said about Donald Trump’s constant attacks towards mainstream news networks such as The New York Times, CBS, NBC News, ABC but most constantly, CNN. He’s gone as for as to call them “the enemy of the American people.”
Additionally, this month, Donald Trump signed the bill that would rollback online privacy protections, a bill that was passed during President Obama’s era. “The change will allow broadband internet service suppliers, such as cable and telecommunications companies, to track and sell a customer’s online information with greater ease,” wrote The New York Times. In the novel, complete surveillance of its citizens rules Oceania 24 hours a day.
The theaters that participate and charge an entry fee will give a portion of the money to local charities and organizations, or “underwriting future educational and community-related programming.” All participating theaters are listed on United State of Cinema.
