In Miami Beach, Florida, the mayor is attempting to end a lease and withdraw financial backing from an independent film theater due to its screening of โNo Other Land,โ an Oscar-winning documentary that chronicles the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The mayor, Steven Meiner, has forward a resolution that labels the documentary as antisemitic. The city commissioners plan to discuss this matter at their forthcoming meeting on Wednesday.
The contentious film was showcased at Miami Beachโs O Cinema, situated at the historic city hall site. Before its premiere, Meiner reached out to O Cinemaโs CEO, Vivian Marthell, urging her to refrain from presenting the film. In a letter, he highlighted the cityโs significant Jewish population and deemed the documentary as a biased portrayal against Jewish people, conflicting with the communityโs values.
Initially, Marthell responded to Meinerโs request by agreeing to cancel the screening. However, the film was eventually shown as originally scheduled. Marthell later explained that her initial decision was made under pressure. After contemplating the essential nature of free speech and O Cinemaโs mission, Marthell, with the support of the cinemaโs board and staff, decided it was vital to proceed with the screening of the highly regarded film.
Marthell emphasized O Cinemaโs dedication to showcasing films that not only entertain but also provoke thought, educate, and inspire significant conversation. She stated the theaterโs belief in the influential role of cinema in telling important stories, especially those dealing with real-world conflicts, which naturally incite intense emotions and discussions. The decision to show โNo Other Land,โ she clarified, was not an endorsement of any political stance, but rather a commitment to ensuring diverse voices are heard.
According to the mayorโs proposed resolution, in December and January, Miami Beach awarded two grants totaling about $80,000 to O Cinema. Roughly half of this funding has already been distributed, but the resolution seeks to halt the disbursement of the remaining funds. Since 2019, the city has leased space to O Cinema on a contract that allows termination with 180 daysโ notice, a move now pursued by Mayor Meiner.
The documentary, โNo Other Land,โ directed by Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, was filmed from 2019 to 2023. Released last year, it has been honored with the Academy Award for best documentary feature among other accolades. The film focuses on the Israeli militaryโs demolition of Palestinian villages in the West Bank, sparking both acclaim and controversy.
Yuval Abraham, one of the filmmakers, responded to the mayorโs statements, arguing that labeling resistance to occupation and apartheid as antisemitism dilutes the termโs significance. He expressed concern over the potential harm of misusing such language. The film has received significant acclaim from critics, though it has also faced its share of controversy. Israeli culture minister Miki Zohar criticized the film on social media, asserting that transforming criticism of Israel into an international publicity tool does not constitute art.