The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I showing in a Thailand cinema has been canceled after some moviegoers pulled off a three finger salute, a gesture that symbolizes protest against the government.
"A cinema chain in Bangkok has cancelled screenings of the new Hunger Games film after protestors adopted the movie's defiant three-fingered salute against totalitarian rule.
Activists say police ordered the move after hundreds of students planned to protest at an opening day screening of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 on Thursday. Thailand has been under military rule since May, and authorities have banned the salute as part of an ongoing crackdown on pro-democratic dissent."
According to a reports, Scala and Lido cinemas in the capital decided to stop showing the film because they feel that they are being used for political agenda by some groups.
"We feel our theaters are being used for political movements," said Apex group, which operates the theaters, according to the Bangkok Post.
With this decision, Apex is expected to suffer around 1 million baht in losses since Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I is among the most anticipated movies in the country this year.
Before Apex was forced to have Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I showing canceled, they received around 200 calls from people asking for tickets for the Jennifer Lawrence starrer movie. According to the company, the request for tickets came after a Facebook page set-up a contest that will allow fans to win tickets for Mockingjay.
A few days ago, the League of Liberal Thammasat for Democracy asked their followers in their Facebook page to comment on the question "How does the Capitol resemble Bangkok?" under the "Raise Your Finger, Bring Popcorn, and Go To Theater" promo. Prize offered are 160 tickets to the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I showing in Scala and Lido theaters.
With Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I showing canceled, the two theaters will now show "Magic in the Moonlight, a new film directed by Woody Allen."
