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An Israeli filmmaker has voiced strong opposition to the efforts of Miami Beach’s mayor to close down a local cinema following its showing of the Oscar-winning documentary, No Other Land, which addresses Palestinian displacement in the West Bank. He stated, “Banning a film only makes people more determined to see it.”
Mayor Steven Meiner has released a draft resolution aimed at terminating the lease agreement with O Cinema and has also proposed withdrawing $40,000 in promised funding for the nonprofit organization that operates the independent theater.
In a recent newsletter to residents, Meiner described No Other Land as “a false one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people that is not consistent with the values of our City and residents,” claiming it “normalizes hate and … disseminates antisemitism.”
Previously, Meiner urged O Cinema to stop the documentary’s screenings, referencing objections from Israeli and German officials.
Yuval Abraham, an Israeli journalist and one of the four directors of the documentary – all of whom are from Israel and Palestine, made a public statement to Deadline on Thursday.
“When the mayor uses the term antisemitism to silence Palestinians and Israelis who proudly oppose occupation and apartheid together, fighting for justice and equality, he is rendering it meaningless,” Abraham argued. “Censorship is always wrong and poses a significant danger.”
“We created this film to engage US audiences with diverse political views. Witnessing the harsh realities faced in Masafer Yatta in the West Bank makes it difficult to justify the occupation, which is why the mayor appears so concerned about No Other Land. Attempts to suppress the film will only lead to greater curiosity,” he added.
In Meiner’s newsletter, it was claimed that O Cinema’s CEO, Vivian Marthell, initially agreed to withdraw the film after expressing “concerns regarding antisemitic rhetoric,” but Meiner noted that she later reversed her decision. The screenings quickly sold out, prompting the cinema to add more showings in March.
Marthell emphasized in a statement to the Miami Herald, “Our decision to screen No Other Land is not an endorsement of any political stance; rather, it is a strong affirmation of our belief that every voice warrants a platform.”
Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez of Miami Beach echoed the mayor’s critical view of the film but cautioned against hasty actions that could result in expensive legal disputes, emphasizing O Cinema’s enduring dedication to the Jewish community.
No Other Land, which recently won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, centers on the demolition of Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank and highlights the bond formed between Abraham and Palestinian activist Basel Adra, who also co-directed the film.
The documentary is being self-distributed in the US due to a lack of interest from distributors, despite its acclaim and accolades, including an Oscar nomination.
Abraham previously shared with The Guardian that potential distributors expressed hesitation to take on a project scrutinizing the Israeli government amid the ongoing conflict with Gaza. He noted that the film was shot in the West Bank, finished prior to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
A commission vote regarding Meiner’s proposal to revoke the cinema’s lease is scheduled for next Wednesday.
Source
www.theguardian.com