But the same day New Times first reported O Cinema would show No Other Land, Miami Beach mayor Steven Meiner called for the theater to cancel all screenings of the film. In a letter published in the Miami Herald, Meiner called the critically acclaimed documentary (which was notably made by a directorial team of two Israelis and two Palestinians) a "one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people."
In a letter, O Cinema CEO Vivian Marthell initially acquiesced before reversing course after consulting with the independent theater's board. The theater proceeded with the sold-out screenings as planned and even added more showings.
Now, Meiner is pushing to evict the indie theater from its city-owned building in South Beach — the theater is located inside the old Miami Beach City Hall. Commissioners are slated to vote on the mayor’s proposal at a meeting tomorrow (March 19), which will inevitably draw a heated public debate.
Will commissioners really vote to evict O Cinema? Here’s what you need to know ahead of the vote.
When Is the Vote?
Miami Beach commissioners will vote on the mayor's proposal to terminate O Cinema's lease and cancel its outstanding grant funding during a city commission meeting tomorrow (March 19). The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.What Happens If the Miami Beach City Commission Votes 'Yes'?
If commissioners vote yes on the resolution, the city will terminate O Cinema’s lease at the old City Hall building on Washington Avenue and immediately cut off funding to the theater. The city agreed to fulfill two grants totaling nearly $80,000 in recent months — the city has paid about half so far. If the city commission votes yes on Mayor Meiner's resolution, the remainder of the grant funding would be canceled."If we are evicted and our funding is cut, we will be homeless," Kareem Tabsch, co-founder and chair of the board of directors of O Cinema, told the Herald.
What Happens If the Miami Beach City Commission Votes 'No'?
If Meiner's proposal fails to pass, O Cinema will remain in its current lease and continue to receive funding from the city. What's Next?
More than 700 filmmakers and creatives signed an open letter this week addressed to Meiner and Miami Beach commissioners in support of O Cinema. Signees include Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, documentarian Michael Moore, actor Marisa Tomei, and Miami filmmakers Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman.O Cinema has also asked local residents to call the mayor's office to express support for the theater ahead of the March 18 meeting.
