CRI听力:Sony to Screen Controversial Film amid US-N Korea Spats

Sony Pictures Entertainment is making the controversial comedy "The Interview" available at a limited number of theaters on Christmas.

The company's CEO, Michael Lynton, said Tuesday they were also trying to release the film on more platforms and in more theatres.

The plan was announced amid the escalating war of words between the United States and North Korea over a cyber attack on Sony's US-based operations.

Sony cancelled the film's release after hackers threatened violence against moviegoers last Week. But the decision drew widespread criticism.

On Monday, North Korea suffered sweeping Internet outages, following a vow from US President Barack Obama of a response to the "cyber vandalism."

Experts suggest the US may have been behind the breakdown, but the White House and State Department declined to comment.

State Department Spokeswoman Marie Harf

"Ask the North Koreans if their internet wasn't working. I can't speculate on why that was if it wasn't. I can't confirm the reports that it actually wasn't. "

Meanwhile, China denied its involvement in cutting off North Korea's internet.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.

"I've noted the reports you've mentioned. They speculate that China is possibly involved. Recently, lots of reports have used words like 'possibly' and 'estimate'. I think this kind of speculative reporting, which is full of assumption and has no basis in reality, really can't be trusted. The reports themselves are extremely irresponsible, uNPRofessional, and misleading."

China Unicom is a major internet operator in North Korea.

Internet access was restored in North Korea yesterday.

The North Korean Internet administration blamed an overload of the nation-wide system for the interruption, but denied suggestions it was hacked.