Arts community rallies behind O Cinema before Miami Beach eviction vote
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Community leaders and activists, including CEO of O Cinema Vivian Marthell (center), following a news conference Tuesday. Photo: Sommer Brugal/Axios
The arts community continued to rally to O Cinema's support ahead of what's bound to be one of the most watched actions taken by Miami Beach commissioners in recent years: voting whether to terminate the independent theater's lease.
Why it matters: The conflict over O Cinema's screenings of "No Other Land" has sparked a global firestorm — a debate over freedom of speech that has inspired local artists and famous filmmakers to weigh in against what they see as government censorship.
- More than 600 filmmakers signed a letter urging Miami Beach commissioners to reject the proposed eviction.
The latest: Resistance to Mayor Steven Meiner's proposal culminated Tuesday with local activists and civil rights leaders again condemning the mayor's move and a Miami Beach native hosting a free, online screening of the film for residents.
- Representatives from O Cinema met with Meiner Monday morning, but no agreement was reached, the Miami Herald reported.
The intrigue: Meiner proposed alternative legislation Tuesday that would "encourage" O Cinema to show films that "highlight a fair and balanced viewpoint" of the war in Gaza.
- During a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday evening, Meiner said he was surprised by the level of outcry over his eviction proposal but said he did not regret his actions.
- Meiner reupped his criticism of "No Other Land" as "one-sided propaganda" and said Jewish people are "soldiers" in a "propaganda war."
- "Free speech is sacrosanct, but hate speech not so much, especially when it has the ability to cause significant damage."
As of Tuesday evening, the eviction proposal remained on the commission agenda but Meiner encouraged commissioners to support his alternative resolution.
- "That's a win for everybody."
Between the lines: Made by a directorial team of two Israelis and two Palestinians, the film documents the Israeli government's demolition of homes in Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank.
What they're saying: During a news conference Tuesday morning, Books & Books founder Mitchell Kaplan cautioned against censorship and the chilling effect of a "Yes" vote.
- "When local officials attempt to silence a film, they cross a very dangerous line," he said. "If a city government can punish a theater for screening a film some politicians dislike, what stops it from banning books, censoring museum exhibits, not to mention theater, dance and music performances?"
- "This is an issue that starts at O Cinema, but it has a ripple effect if it goes unchecked," said Kareem Tabsch, the theater's co-founder.
What's next: Two commissioners have indicated they would vote against evicting O Cinema but it's unclear how the seven-person body will vote.