Broad Theater to screen ‘1984’ as part of nationwide protest

New Orleans’ Broad Theater will screen the film adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novel 1984 on April 4 at 7pm.

Gambit reports that the movie will be shown in protest of President Trump’s proposal to eliminate all funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. Over 200 other theaters in the United States and elsewhere will play the film as part of a “National Screening Day” protest organized by the United States of Cinema. A portion of proceeds from one-time the Broad Theater screening will be donated to local community organizations.

A statement from United States of Cinema reads:

Orwell’s novel begins with the sentence, “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” Less than one month into the new presidential administration, theater owners collectively believe the clock is already striking thirteen. 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.”

Originally released in 1984, the film adaptation of Orwell’s 1949 masterpiece stars the late John Hurt as protagonist Winston Smith, a government employee who struggles to get by in a totalitarian dystopia.

Tickets for the Broad Theater screening are on sale now. A full list of participating theaters can be found here.