MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — The mayor of Miami Beach, Florida, has decided to withdraw his proposal to cancel the lease and financial aid to an independent theater due to its decision to screen an Oscar-winning documentary covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Initially, Mayor Steven Meiner introduced a resolution labeling the film “No Other Land” as antisemitic. However, during a commission meeting on Wednesday, he pulled back his proposal after five of the six city commissioners expressed their disapproval. In light of this feedback, Meiner announced his support for an alternative resolution that would encourage the theater to exhibit films offering a fair and balanced perspective.
“No Other Land” recently debuted at O Cinema, a theater situated in the Miami Beach Historic City Hall. Prior to its premiere, Meiner attempted to convince Vivian Marthell, the CEO of O Cinema, not to show the film. Marthell initially agreed but later reversed her decision, emphasizing the significance of free speech and O Cinema’s mission to present films that entertain, challenge, and provoke thoughtful discussions.
Marthell has warned of possible legal action if the city persists in its eviction efforts.
The documentary “No Other Land,” created by Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, was produced from 2019 to 2023 and details the destruction of Palestinian villages in the West Bank by the Israeli military.
The project concluded just before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The film has been honored with the Academy Award for best documentary feature and has received widespread critical acclaim, though it has also sparked controversy.
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