Chapter 885: Warning!

Cybercrime had been a recurring issue since the eighties and nineties, and both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency had dedicated departments to handle such cases. After a brief investigation, they quickly confirmed that this was indeed a cyberattack, though they had no immediate clues as to where the perpetrators were from.

The two powerful agencies only managed to discover that the "proxy servers" the hackers used were located in Mexico and Venezuela. Tracing their true locations in the short term would be difficult.

As for North Korea being the prime suspect, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, the American public, and the media all viewed it as a given.

Furthermore, spurred on by Warner Brothers, the mainstream American media and the Federal Government had reached a tacit understanding.

It was widely known that the so-called "mainstream values" in Hollywood films, beyond emphasizing personal struggle and achieving dreams, were deeply entangled with politics. In fact, Hollywood and Washington had always echoed and coexisted with one another. Political elements in film and cinematic elements in politics intertwined to construct the "realized" utopia of America.

A look across mainstream Hollywood films revealed a focus on personal heroism—sacrifice, struggle, patriotism, and love for family—but hidden behind all of this was the logic of America's formidable national strength and the idea of "America leading the world." If one looked closely, the lingering American arrogance and conceit were palpable.

Yet, one had to admit that Hollywood's storytelling ability was world-class. The American film industry was one of the few domestic sectors capable of maintaining a long-term trade surplus, and it was precisely through Hollywood's films and stars that America promoted its values across the globe.

Many people yearned for Hollywood's so-called creative freedom, firmly believing that the full development of commerce and the market could allow filmmakers' imaginations to run wild, free from the influence of political propaganda.

In reality, Hollywood's so-called freedom merely meant that films of any political leaning had channels for distribution and room to survive. But for a film to be a massive blockbuster and earn widespread public acclaim, it was far more reliable to choose one that reflected those so-called "mainstream values."

Hollywood had spent decades fighting fiercely for its so-called creative freedom, and it certainly wasn't going to surrender it now. Meanwhile, the Federal Government needed to further stoke the American public's hostility toward North Korea, sharing common interests with Warner Brothers.

"This attack is unlike any cyberattack we have encountered in the past. Its purpose is not just to cause widespread destruction; it is an attempt to interfere with America's freedom of speech."

Arthur Landau, the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation expert team handling the case, stated during an interview with Warner Media, "It is no exaggeration to say that this was a carefully prepared and premeditated criminal act. The mastermind must be an organized group that took advantage of Warner Brothers being off guard to launch this cyberattack."

The Central Intelligence Agency was even more direct. From the moment they officially intervened in the "Warner Brothers Cyberattack," every time they made a public statement, they unhesitatingly pointed to North Korea as the mastermind behind the scenes, even laying out a series of evidence.

"The hacking software used to attack Warner Brothers is linked to malware developed by North Korea. The tools used in this attack are similar to those deployed during North Korea's cyberattacks on South Korean banks and media last year..."

North Korea being the mastermind behind the incident made perfect sense; it fit the exact narrative arc expected by the White House, Hollywood, and the American public.

"We have not yielded! We have not backed down! We are standing our ground! Creative freedom is a tradition and a right in Hollywood. The free world will not compromise with terrorism!"

At a press conference convened by Warner Brothers, James Franco—who also served as the film's producer—took the opportunity to express the stance of the cast and crew of The Interview, packaging them as freedom fighters.

"Even if only a single theater chain screens The Interview, and even if I'm the only one who attends, I will still hold a premiere for this film!"

El Capitan Theater also announced that it would cooperate with Warner Brothers to host the premiere for the film.

Soon after, the Guardians of Peace launched another cyberattack on Warner Brothers, but their efforts were thwarted by the countermeasures of a well-prepared cybersecurity firm. Having failed, the hackers resorted to posting statements online regarding the potential premiere.

"Warning!

"To those attending the premiere of The Interview and those going to theaters to watch this film, we will show you the consequences of making a joke out of terrorism.

"Soon, the whole world will know how wretched this film distributed by Warner Brothers truly is.

"Soon, the whole world will feel fear.

"Remember September 11, 2001.

"We advise you to stay away from those theaters while the movie is showing.

"If you live near a theater, you had better move.

"Everything that happens in the coming days will be brought about by the boundless ignorance of Warner Brothers.

"Warner Brothers will be condemned by the whole world."

When the cyberattack on Warner Brothers first broke out, the American public watched the situation unfold just as they would any other piece of celebrity gossip, treating it like a spectator sport. Therefore, Duke decided to drag the entire American public down with them, making them foot the bill for Warner Brothers' marketing expenses. Consequently, the terrorist threats issued by the Guardians of Peace completely enraged the American public.

In the eyes of Americans, villainizing North Korea or even spoofing a nation's leader in a film fell under their lawful freedom of speech. The freedom of speech enjoyed by Hollywood and all of America was hard-won; therefore, any political leader or religious saint—foreign or domestic—could be a target for satire.

Despite the terrorist threats, with the staunch backing of Warner Brothers, the cast and crew of The Interview continued to fly the banner of freedom of speech and insisted on releasing the film on schedule. Warner Brothers' tough stance won over the public's goodwill, and many groups advocating for so-called liberalism even spontaneously organized crowds to gather in front of the Warner Building as a show of support.

Freedom might not be a universal value, but it was absolutely the value upheld in North America. When this so-called freedom was threatened, more and more people chose to step forward.

Even O-Coal in the White House stepped up, clarifying the stance of the Washington Authorities at a press conference.

"If the release of The Interview is thwarted, then our sacred and inviolable freedom of speech will have lost to the threat of terrorism. Bowing to threats is not how Americans act. The freedom of American society must not be subjected to censorship by other nations, just as Hollywood and American culture must not be censored by foreign powers."

"I hope the premiere proceeds on schedule. I will tell Warner Brothers, and I will tell my friends, that we will not surrender to any form of illegal attack! We will forever hold high the torch of freedom!"

This was bound to be one of the most impactful events to hit Hollywood this year—perhaps even for years to come. Moreover, it would transcend the film industry to leave a profound impact on American society as a whole.

Shortly after O-Coal issued his official statement, the Federal Government suddenly convened a press conference. They announced that, with the assistance of the Mexican Police and INTERPOL, they had apprehended three hackers responsible for attacking Warner Brothers in Mexico City. All three were North Korean expats living in Mexico.

Although the three suspects denied any ties to the North Korean government in the interrogation footage released by the Federal Government, admitting it under such circumstances would have been far more suspicious. Their denial was a perfectly normal reaction.

Whether they were the actual hackers didn't matter in the slightest.

Duke wasn't going to worry about whether the North Korean government was truly the mastermind behind the scenes. Warner Brothers wouldn't worry about it, Hollywood wouldn't worry about it, and the American public and the Federal Government certainly wouldn't worry about it either. The North Korean government and Kim Fatty III were the only ones who could take the fall for this.

"We have confirmed that the orchestrator behind this large-scale, prolonged, and highly intensive cyber operation is none other than the North Korean government!"

This was what the White House Spokesperson stated during a routine press conference. "The White House is currently debating whether to issue a public condemnation against the North Korean government over this incident, as well as how to respond to attacks on North America. We are also considering raising North Korea's terror threat level."

The White House's remarks garnered the support of the mainstream media. This was arguably the most praise O-Coal's administration had received from the press in recent years.

America's big four theater chains—Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment Group, Cinemark Theatres, and Carmike Cinemas—also announced that they would proceed with the release schedule for The Interview as planned, thereby showing their support for the so-called freedom of speech.

But regardless of whether they actually did it, the North Korean government was definitely going to deny it.

"The hackers were not dispatched by the North Korean government," they stated, before simultaneously pointing out, "But no matter who did this, North Korea praises you as valiant heroes!"

Kim Fatty III even directed a spokesperson to publicly announce that they would resolutely retaliate against any American acts of revenge. They would launch an ultra-hardline counteroffensive targeting the White House, the Pentagon, and Hollywood! Furthermore, Hollywood films would be permanently banned from entering North Korea!

The North Korea National Defense Commission responded by stating that its 1.2 million troops were ready at any time to engage in all forms of warfare with America.

Inevitably, the North Korean government and O-Coal's Washington Authorities became locked in a war of words across the airwaves. North Korea claimed that The Interview was full of inflammatory incitement and that its depiction of the assassination of a sovereign head of state using despicable means served to justify terrorism—something that would not be tolerated in any country or region. They declared that North Korea had sufficient evidence to prove the American government was deeply involved in the film's production.

Was North Korea truly uninvolved in the cyberattack? Perhaps only they knew the truth.

Although North Korea's technological development lagged far behind that of the Western world, it was an undeniable fact that they maintained a professionally trained cyber-warfare unit capable of attacking and infiltrating foreign corporations.

Of course, this alone wasn't proof that North Korea was the mastermind, but it made the American public all the more willing to believe they were the true culprits.

"It's hard to believe that an entire nation would threaten America's freedom of speech!"

This was what an ordinary moviegoer said during an interview, clearly stating that he would go to the theater to watch The Interview.

"Warner Brothers and the cast and crew of The Interview have shown us Hollywood's brave and resilient side. We will uphold Hollywood's tradition of creative freedom. Cowardice has no place among Americans."

Certain political activists in Hollywood were also highly generous with their support, stating one after another that they would show up at the premiere if necessary.