A cinema in Oakville, Ontario, has cancelled screenings of Indian films after two violent attacks on its premises in the past week, including an attempted arson and a shooting.Film.Ca Cinemas, located on Speers Road west of Toronto, said it made the “difficult decision” to pull South Asian titles in order to protect staff and audiences. “We recognise that many guests had eagerly anticipated these films, and we sincerely regret any inconvenience and disappointment this decision may cause,” Jeff Knoll, CEO of the theatre, said in a statement.“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,” Knoll added.
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The theatre stated that the attacks were a result of its participation in the exhibition of South Asian films. Citing concerns for the safety of guests and its cast, it decided to cancel the screenings of Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 and They Call Him OG.Also read: Canada theatre showing Pawan Kalyan’s OG complains about arson attempt“Evidence seems to show that the participation in the exhibition of South Asian films has led to these incidents at our theatre and other theatres across the GTA. 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 Celt Him OG, and all future South Asian films indefinitely,” the statement read.
The first incident happened in the early hours of September 25, when two masked suspects carrying red gas cans set fire to the cinema’s entrance doors. Halton Regional Police said the blaze, lit at around 5.20am, was contained to the exterior and caused moderate damage. The suspects were seen arriving in a white SUV, while security footage also captured a grey SUV circling the lot several times earlier in the night.Police described one suspect as white, wearing black trousers, a hoodie, dark high-top shoes, gloves and a medical mask. The second was also dressed in black, but with white socks and sandals, and was carrying a phone.A week later, at around 1:50 a.m. on 2 October, another suspect approached the front entrance and fired several rounds through the doors before fleeing. Investigators said the gunman had dark skin, a heavy build, and was dressed in black with his face covered. No one was inside the cinema during either attack and no injuries were reported.“These are targeted incidents,” Halton police said in a statement, urging anyone with information to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers.Knoll called the violence “cowardly acts” and said the cinema would continue to co-operate fully with police. “We remain open for business and will fully co-operate with and assist law enforcement in retrieving any information about the perpetrator and conspirator and bringing them to justice — because this just cannot stand.”
