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 “No Other Land,” 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 Beach’s O Cinema, situated at the historic city hall site. Before its premiere, Meiner reached out to O Cinema’s CEO, Vivian Marthell, urging her to refrain from presenting the film. In a letter, he highlighted the city’s significant Jewish population and deemed the documentary as a biased portrayal against Jewish people, conflicting with the community’s values.
Initially, Marthell responded to Meiner’s 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 Cinema’s mission, Marthell, with the support of the cinema’s board and staff, decided it was vital to proceed with the screening of the highly regarded film.
Marthell emphasized O Cinema’s dedication to showcasing films that not only entertain but also provoke thought, educate, and inspire significant conversation. She stated the theater’s 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 “No Other Land,” she clarified, was not an endorsement of any political stance, but rather a commitment to ensuring diverse voices are heard.
According to the mayor’s 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 days’ notice, a move now pursued by Mayor Meiner.
The documentary, “No Other Land,” 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 military’s demolition of Palestinian villages in the West Bank, sparking both acclaim and controversy.
Yuval Abraham, one of the filmmakers, responded to the mayor’s statements, arguing that labeling resistance to occupation and apartheid as antisemitism dilutes the term’s 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.
