Film.ca Cinemas in Ontario cancels South Asian movie screenings following violent incidents
A movie theatre in Ontario, Canada, has halted the screening of Indian films after being targeted in two separate incidents of arson and gunfire over the past week. Film.ca Cinemas in Oakville confirmed that the attacks were linked to its showings of South Asian films, prompting the withdrawal of Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 and Pawan Kalyan’s They Call Him OG, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
The cinema’s statement said: “Two serious incidents have recently occurred at our theatre property: an arson attempt and the discharging of a handgun. Both took place during the overnight hours outside the front doors while the theatre was closed for business. No one was injured in either case.”
Theatre cites safety concerns after arson and shooting linked to South Asian film screenings
It added that evidence suggests participation in South Asian film screenings has led to such incidents across the Greater Toronto Area. “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision that the safety of guests and our cast require us to withdraw ourselves from screenings of Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, They Call Him OG, and all future South Asian films indefinitely. We deeply apologise to our community.”
Jeff Knoll, CEO of Film.ca Cinemas, said: “As these incidents have occurred outside during our overnight hours, we believe that the intention is to cause property damage that will result in forcing our hand to close our doors. We remain open for business and will fully cooperate with and assist law enforcement in retrieving any information about the perpetrator and conspirator and bringing them to justice — because this just cannot stand.”
Security footage released by the theatre shows a grey SUV arriving around 2 am, with a hooded individual surveying the premises before leaving. The vehicle later returned multiple times. At around 5:15 am, a white SUV arrived, and two people carrying red jerrycans poured liquid near the theatre doors before igniting it with a lit match.
