Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai Speaks Out at International CES About Hack

— -- After Sony was hammered by one of the most malicious cyber attacks in history, the company's CEO took the opportunity to thank supporters -- and even slip in a little humor.

Speaking at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Kazuo Hirai, the president and CEO of Sony Corp., had a question for the crowd of technology enthusiasts who came to learn about the company's 2015 plans.

"How many of you went to see a great Sony movie this holiday?" Hirai asked as the group cheered.

"Annie is a fantastic movie, isn't it?" he quipped.

The crowd was of course voicing its support for "The Interview," the Sony movie depicting two journalists who go to North Korea to meet with Kim Jong Un.

The FBI said last month hack, which cost Sony millions of dollars, was carried out by the reclusive country.

Amid threats, several major movie theater chains opted to not show the film in its theaters, instead prompting Sony to release the film online and on more than 580 independent screens.

"I think it would be remiss if I didn't mention Sony Pictures Entertainment and the comedy movie 'The Interview,'" Hirai said. "Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of association, those are very important lifelines of Sony...and our business."

Despite the setback, the movie turned out to be a digital success for Sony, pulling in more than $15 million in the first four days of its release.