It's a novel that was written in 1948, and the film adaptation was released in 1984; but George Orwell's dystopian tale 1984 has shot back into the limelight — in large part because of comparisons to Trump-era politics.

Trump opponents point out the similarities: media is branded the enemy; fake news gets confused with legitimate sources; verifiable lies are pushed as truths (including the inauguration attracting "the largest audience ever"); science is deeply mistrusted; white supremacists are labeled "alt-right"; and Trump spokesperson Kellyanne Conway even uses an Orwellian term, "alternative facts."

Ever since Trump was elected and inaugurated, sales of Orwell's book have skyrocketed to the point where it's once again a bestseller — and tonight, over 200 art house theatres across North America are screening the film.

But why today, April 4?

Because in the book, April 4 is the day that protagonist Winston Smith starts rebelling against the totalitarian regime by keeping a forbidden diary.

"Orwell's portrait of a government that manufactures their own facts, demands total obedience, and demonizes foreign enemies, has never been timelier," reads a statement on unitedstateofcinema.com, which is promoting the screenings. "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.'"

In Canada, screenings are being held at Vancity Theatre and the Rio in Vancouver, the Royal in Toronto, Le Cercle Lab vivant in Quebec City, and the Original Princess Cinema in Waterloo, to name a few. All proceeds raised are going to local charities and civil liberties organizations; some theatres are offering admission by donation.

"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," the statement continues.

"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."

You can find a full list of theatres screening the film here.

— Jennifer Van Evra, q digital staff