Miami Beach Cinema Responds to Mayor’s Actions: “We Don’t Want to Leave”
# Miami Beach Arthouse Cinema Faces Backlash for Screening **No Other Land**
A small arthouse cinema in Miami Beach is facing intense political and financial pressure after deciding to screen the Oscar-winning documentary *No Other Land* (2024), which chronicles the forced displacement of Palestinian residents in the occupied West Bank. The controversy has sparked a heated debate over free speech, artistic expression, and political interference in cultural institutions.
## **Background on *No Other Land***
The 90-minute documentary, co-directed by Palestinian journalist Basel Adra and Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham, highlights the destruction of Palestinian homes in Masafer Yatta by Israeli forces. Despite receiving international acclaim, the film has struggled to secure an American distributor. Some critics have attempted to label it as controversial, alleging anti-Semitic undertones—claims that the filmmakers have strongly denied.
## **Attempts to Cancel the Screenings**
On March 5, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner sent a letter to O Cinema’s CEO, Vivian Marthell, pressuring the theater to cancel its screenings of *No Other Land* and citing concerns that the film promoted “anti-Semitic propaganda.” Initially, the theater complied with the demand, but after further deliberation, it reinstated all screenings and even added four additional showtimes.
In response, Meiner and the Miami Beach City Commission took steps to terminate O Cinema’s lease and rescind a $40,000 grant from the city, accusing the theater of violating community values. The mayor’s office has not responded to media requests regarding the matter.
## **Free Speech vs. Political Pressure**
O Cinema’s decision to reinstate *No Other Land* screenings has been framed as a defense of free speech. Marthell explained:
> *“My initial reaction to Mayor Meiner’s threats was made under duress. After reflecting on the broader implications for free speech and O Cinema’s mission, I (along with the O Cinema board and staff members) agreed it was critical to screen this acclaimed film.”*
This incident is not the first time Miami Beach authorities have been accused of restricting pro-Palestinian expression. In late 2023, the city passed a resolution limiting public gatherings after pro-Palestinian activists demonstrated outside Art Basel Miami Beach.
## **Community Response and Legal Concerns**
The mayor’s move to defund O Cinema has drawn sharp criticism from free speech advocates. Legal experts, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida’s legal director Daniel Tilley, argue that this retaliation is unconstitutional.
O Cinema has served the Miami Beach community since its founding in 2011, offering a space for independent and international films that often struggle to find mainstream distribution. The potential closure of the theater could have far-reaching implications for Miami’s cultural scene.
O Cinema co-founder Kareem Tabsch voiced his concerns:
> *“To think that we survived a global pandemic and now might be up against a local government that’s just deciding it no longer wants us to operate is crazy. We don’t want to leave. We love Miami Beach… We do not want to see a Miami Beach without O Cinema.”*
## **Public Meetings & Next Steps**
The Miami Beach City Commission will debate the potential eviction of O Cinema on March 19 in a hybrid public meeting. Mayor Meiner will also hold a virtual town hall on March 18. Advocacy groups, filmmakers, and free speech organizations are mobilizing to defend the theater, urging local residents to speak out.
As the debate unfolds, this controversy raises broader questions about artistic freedom, government overreach, and the role of film in political discourse. One thing is certain: the battle over *No Other Land* has become much more than just a film screening—it’s a fight for free expression in Miami Beach.