‘Hunger Games’ sequel preview screenings cancelled

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: Special previews set for today at two cinemas in Siam Square of the latest in the series idolized by coup protesters, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, have been abruptly cancelled.

The anti-coup movement has adopted the movie’s three-finger salute as a symbolic gesture in their rallies against the military government.

At Scala Theatre, 160 seats had been booked by a group calling themselves the “Thammasat University Liberals for Democracy”. They reportedly named their campaign “Raise three fingers, Net popcorn and Enter the theatre” and scheduled noon showings at Scala and Lido theaters.

On the website of Thai-language Matichon daily, the organizers noted that the cancellation, explained to them by the staff of the Apex movie chain that owns both theaters, could have followed from an anti-coup protest in front of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha during a speech he was making at a government-hosted event in Khon Kaen (story here).

Another film, Magic in the Moonlight by Hollywood director Woody Allen, has been substituted for Mockingjay, the website said.

— Phuket Gazette Editors