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Utah theater cited for showing ‘Deadpool’ sues state

Brewvies Cinema Pub is viewed Monday, April 18, 2016, in Salt Lake City. Utah alcohol bosses have filed a complaint and will consider revoking the liquor license of a movie theater it says violated a state obscenity law by serving drinks while screening "Deadpool," which features simulated sex scenes. The theater said the law is unconstitutional and has threatened to challenge it in court if the complaint is not dropped. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) Brewvies Cinema Pub is viewed Monday, April 18, 2016, in Salt Lake City. Utah alcohol bosses have filed a complaint and will consider revoking the liquor license of a movie theater it says violated a state obscenity law by serving drinks while screening "Deadpool," which features simulated sex scenes. The theater said the law is unconstitutional and has threatened to challenge it in court if the complaint is not dropped. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

By Associated Press April 20, 2016 1 min read

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – A Salt Lake City theater is challenging the state for using an obscenity law to threaten its liquor license for serving drinks during a screening of “Deadpool.”

Brewvies argued in court documents filed Tuesday that the Utah law unconstitutionally uses liquor rules to restrict the theater’s free speech rights to show the film.

Brewvies lawyer Rocky Anderson notes that other Utah theaters showed the film but weren’t cited because they don’t serve liquor.

Utah’s alcohol control department filed the complaint against Brewvies after undercover officers attended a screening of Marvel’s R-rated antihero film “Deadpool” in February.

Investigators cited a state obscenity law that is generally used to regulate alcohol and nudity at strip clubs but also bans alcohol from being served during films with simulated sex or full-frontal nudity.

The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control declined to comment.