Cybercrime had already appeared many times back in the 1980s and 1990s. Both the FBI and CIA had special departments dedicated to handling such cases. After a short period of investigation, they quickly confirmed that this was indeed a hacker attack. However, as to where the attackers came from, there were no clues in the short term.
The two powerful agencies only discovered that the "zombie computers" used by the hackers were located in Mexico and Venezuela, making it difficult to trace their real location in a short time.
As for North Korea being named the prime suspect, both the FBI, the CIA, and the American public and media all considered it a matter of course.
Moreover, with Warner Brothers' encouragement, a tacit understanding was reached between mainstream U.S. media and the federal government.
It was well known that the so-called "mainstream values" in Hollywood films, besides emphasizing personal struggle and the realization of dreams, could hardly be separated from politics. In fact, Hollywood and Washington had always echoed each other, coexisting symbiotically. The political elements in movies and the cinematic elements in politics intertwined to form the so-called "fulfilled" American utopia.
Looking across mainstream Hollywood films, they all focus on themes like sacrifice, struggle, patriotism, and family devotion—personal heroism—but behind these always lies the logic of America's national strength and "America leading the world." With closer observation, one can feel an ever-present sense of American arrogance and self-importance.
But it must be admitted that Hollywood's storytelling ability is world-class. The American film industry is one of the few that has maintained a long-term trade surplus for the U.S., and it is precisely through Hollywood's movies and stars that America has spread its values across the globe.
Many people admire Hollywood's so-called creative freedom and truly believe that the full development of commerce and markets allows filmmakers' imagination to run wild, free from political propaganda.
But in reality, Hollywood's so-called freedom only means that films of any tendency have channels to be distributed and space to survive. However, to become a blockbuster and gain wide public praise, it is still much safer to choose films that reflect America's "mainstream values."
For the sake of its so-called creative freedom, Hollywood had made tremendous efforts over the past few decades and would never abandon it. The federal government, on the other hand, needed to further incite national hostility toward North Korea—thus, it shared common interests with Warner Brothers.
"This cyberattack is different from the network attacks we've encountered before. Its purpose is not merely to cause large-scale damage, but also to interfere with America's freedom of speech."
Arthur Randall, head of the FBI's expert team in charge of the investigation, said in an interview with Warner Media, "It's no exaggeration to say this was a carefully prepared and organized criminal act, planned by a coordinated group. They launched the attack on Warner Brothers while the company was off guard."
The CIA was even more direct. From the moment they officially joined the "Warner Brothers hacking case," every time they made a public statement, they pointed to North Korea as the mastermind behind the scenes without hesitation, listing a series of so-called pieces of evidence.
"The hacking tools used in the attack were related to malicious software developed by North Korea; and the tools employed in this incident were similar to those used in last year's North Korean cyberattacks against South Korean banks and media outlets…"
It seemed perfectly reasonable that North Korea was the mastermind behind this incident—it fit the expectations of the White House, Hollywood, and even the American public narrative.
"We have not yielded, we have not compromised, we have persisted! Freedom of creation is the tradition and right of Hollywood. The free world will never bow to terrorism!"
At the Warner Brothers press conference, James Franco, who also served as the film's producer, spoke on behalf of The Interview crew, presenting them as freedom fighters: "Even if only one theater screens The Interview, even if I am the only one attending, I will still hold the premiere!"
The Cheftain Stone Theater also announced that it would cooperate with Warner Brothers to host the premiere for the film.
Soon after, the "Guardians of Peace" organization launched another hacker attack against Warner Brothers. However, under the countermeasures of well-prepared cybersecurity firms, they failed again. These hackers then turned to the internet, posting threats about the upcoming premiere event.
"Warning!
To those who plan to attend the premiere of The Interview or go to theaters to watch this film — we will let you know the consequences of joking about terrorism.
Soon, the whole world will see how disgraceful the movie released by Warner Brothers truly is.
Soon, the entire world will feel fear.
Remember what happened in September of 2001.
We advise you to stay away from any theaters showing the film.
If you live near a cinema, it's best to move away.
Everything that will happen in the coming days will be the result of Warner Brothers' ignorance and arrogance.
Warner Brothers will be condemned by the entire world."
At the beginning of the Warner Brothers hacking incident, the American public treated it just like any other gossip or scandal, merely watching the situation unfold as spectators. Therefore, Duke decided to pull the entire nation into the fray — making them pay out of their own pockets to cover Warner Brothers' marketing expenses. The "Guardians of Peace" terrorist threats only served to enrage the American public.
In the eyes of Americans, mocking North Korea in movies or even satirizing a foreign leader was a legitimate expression of free speech. The freedom of speech that Hollywood and the American people cherished had been hard-won. Therefore, whether the target was foreign or domestic political leaders or even religious figures, all could be subjects of satire.
Despite the terrorist threats, under Warner Brothers' firm backing, The Interview production team insisted on releasing the film as scheduled under the banner of free speech. Warner's tough stance also won public approval. Many groups supporting so-called liberalism even voluntarily gathered in front of the Warner headquarters to show their support.
Freedom might not be a universal value, but it was certainly one upheld by North America. When that so-called freedom was threatened, more and more people chose to stand up.
Even Barack Obama in the White House stood up and expressed the Washington administration's position during a press conference.
"If The Interview fails to be released, then our sacred and inviolable freedom of speech will have lost to the threat of terrorism. To yield and compromise in the face of threats is not what Americans should do. The freedom of American society should not be subject to the censorship of other nations. Hollywood and American culture should not be reviewed or restricted by foreign powers."
"I hope the premiere will proceed as scheduled. I will tell Warner Brothers and my friends that we will not bow to any form of illegal attack! We will always hold high the torch of freedom!"
This incident would certainly be one of the most influential events in Hollywood this year—and even in many years to come. It would not only affect the film industry but also bring a profound impact on American society.
Shortly after Obama made his official statement, the federal government suddenly held a press conference, announcing that, with the assistance of Mexican police and Interpol, three hackers who attacked Warner Brothers had been captured in Mexico City, and all three were North Koreans who had immigrated to Mexico.
Although in the interrogation videos released by the federal government the three denied any connection with the North Korean government, under such circumstances, if they had admitted it, people would have thought something was off. Denial was the most natural reaction.
Whether they were real hackers or not actually didn't matter at all.
Whether the North Korean government was truly the mastermind behind the scenes was not something Duke would consider, nor would Warner Brothers, Hollywood, or the American public and federal government. This black pot could only be carried by the North Korean government and Kim Jong-un.
"We have confirmed that behind this large-scale, long-duration, high-intensity hacker operation stands the official North Korean government!"
This was what the White House spokesperson said at the regular press briefing. "The White House is currently discussing whether to issue an open condemnation of the North Korean government for this incident, as well as how to respond to the attacks on North America, and considering raising North Korea's terror threat level."
The White House's statement was supported by the mainstream media. This was perhaps the most praised moment for Obama's administration in recent years.
The four major American theater chains—Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark Theatres, and Carmike Cinemas—also announced that they would proceed with The Interview's release as planned, to show their support for so-called freedom of speech.
But whether they did it or not, the North Korean government would certainly deny it.
"The hackers were not officially assigned by North Korea," they stated. "But no matter who did this, North Korea praises you as brave heroes!"
Kim Jong-un also ordered his spokesperson to publicly declare that North Korea would resolutely retaliate against any countermeasures from the United States and would launch ultra-hardline counterattacks targeting the White House, the Pentagon, and Hollywood! Furthermore, Hollywood movies would be permanently banned from entering North Korea!
The North Korean National Defense Commission responded that 1.2 million troops were fully prepared to engage the United States in any form of war.
Inevitably, the North Korean government and Obama's Washington administration launched a verbal war across the airwaves—accusing The Interview of being full of incitement and of using despicable means to assassinate the leader of a sovereign nation, thus justifying terrorism. Such content, they said, would not be permitted in any country or region. North Korea claimed it had sufficient evidence proving that the U.S. government was deeply involved in the production of the film.
Was North Korea really unrelated to the hacker attack? Perhaps only they themselves knew the truth.
Although North Korea's technological development lagged far behind the Western world, it was certain that North Korea did have cyber warfare units receiving professional training and possessed the ability to attack and infiltrate foreign enterprises.
Of course, this could not serve as definitive proof that North Korea was the mastermind, yet it made the American public more inclined to believe that they were.
"It's hard to believe that a country would threaten the freedom of speech of the entire United States!"
That was what an ordinary moviegoer said in an interview, making it clear that he would go to the theater to watch The Interview.
"Warner Brothers and The Interview crew have shown us the brave and resilient side of Hollywood. We will uphold the tradition of free creativity in Hollywood. Cowardice does not belong to Americans."
Some politically active figures in Hollywood were also unreserved in their support, claiming that if necessary, they would personally appear at the premiere.
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