Dream Wired
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Celebrity
  • DramaAlert
  • Gossip
  • Movie
  • TV
  • Music
  • Comics
  • Shop
  • Home
  • Celebrity
  • DramaAlert
  • Gossip
  • Movie
  • TV
  • Music
  • Comics
  • Shop
No Result
View All Result
Dream Wired
No Result
View All Result
Home DramaAlert

Cate Blanchett, Nadine Labaki Support Beirut Metropolis Cinema Opening

rmtsa by rmtsa
December 21, 2024
in DramaAlert
0
Cate Blanchett, Nadine Labaki Support Beirut Metropolis Cinema Opening
74
SHARES
1.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


You might also like

‘Black People Outside’ Takes Us Inside KOA’s Black Camper Retreat

Brad Pitt Opens Up About The ‘Annoyance’ of His Personal Life Being In Headlines

Global TV In The Spotlight At Monte-Carlo’s Glamorous Festival

Cate Blanchett and Nadine Labaki were among the stars sending messages of support for Beirut’s landmark arthouse Metropolis Cinema as it officially opened its new venue in the city’s port area of Mar Mikhael on Saturday.

The launch marks a new chapter in the cinema’s 18-year journey after being homeless for some four years, following its eviction from its previous home in the Empire-Sofil cinema in Achrafieh in 2020.

Its new location on a piece of temporarily donated land is situated directly across from the port where the catastrophic Beirut explosion occurred in 2020, killing at least 218 deaths, injuring another 7,000 people, and initially leaving 300,000 people homeless.

The new venue features two indoor cinemas, an outdoor cinema, and a green area with a café. Its cutting edge sustainable design is by architect Sophie Khayat, who has created the venue in such a way that it can be dismantled and moved to another site in the future if needs be.

The cinema’s opening follows in the wake of a difficult period for Beirut and wider Lebanon, marked by economic crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, the Beirut blast and most recently the Israel-Hezbollah war.

The Metropolis Cinema and its parent Lebanese Art Cinema were founded in 2006, with its first venue being an abandoned theatre in the Hamra neighborhood of the Beirut. Since then, despite a peripatetic existence, it has been at the heart of independent cinema culture in the city.

“The opening of Metropolis Cinema in Mar Mikhael is a powerful testament to our community’s enduring love for cinema,” said Metropolis Cinema Director Hania Mroué.

“The Lebanese film industry is facing unprecedented challenges due to ongoing economic, political, and financial crises, threatening years of hard-won progress. Despite these obstacles, and with emerging talents, we now need a project that unites scattered efforts and revitalizes our cultural scene.

“As we open this new space, we are deeply grateful for the support that made it possible. This venue arrives at a critical moment, offering a chance to unite in solidarity to preserve our film industry, cultural identity, and heritage. This isn’t just about opening a cinema; it’s about creating a vibrant hub where we can celebrate, converse, and inspire each other, looking toward a future filled with hope and creativity.”

The cinema had been due to hold a glitzy opening in September, but this was cancelled after the Israel-Hezbollah conflict ratcheted up, with Israeli missiles hitting the city from September to late November, when a fragile ceasefire was agreed.

Saturday’s official opening featured filmed messages of support were played from Labaki and Blanchett.      

“This is a remarkable achievement, and I extend my congratulations to everyone involved in the opening of the Metropolis Cinema in the heart of Beirut. Not only will it be a space where Lebanese cinema can flourish and new voices can emerge, but in these deeply tragic, heartbreaking, and bewildering times, this venue in Mar Mikhael stands as a testament to resilience and cultural revival—bringing stories to life and uniting the community,” said Blanchett.

“Metropolis will be a place for people to gather, and through the escape of cinema, I hope it will help them reconnect and find some solace as Lebanon faces such immense challenges. My heart is with all of you.”

Lebanese actor and Capernaum director Labaki wished the Metropolis Cinema well for both its opening and its activities over the long run.

“We all know that we need a space like this more than ever given the current circumstances. What’s happening is proof that Lebanon doesn’t lose its spirit, and this hall isn’t just a movie theater, it’s also a refuge for many dreams, aspirations, and ideas,” she said.

“It’s really wonderful to see that despite everything, there are still people who dare to sow beauty, art, and culture. So, a big thank you to everyone who helped make this dream a reality. I hope Metropolis Cinema continues to thrive, and that we can always celebrate real cinema and art in this place. May we continue to gather, think, share ideas, and continue to plan for a better Lebanon.

In addition to screening independent films, the new venue will house a dedicated Lebanese film heritage resource centre. This initiative aims to preserve and celebrate Lebanon’s cinematic legacy, offering students, researchers, and film professionals valuable resources.

Metropolis Cinema core mission is to promoting independent cinema, support the Lebanese film industry, and providing educational opportunities for youth, while its programming puts an emphasize on social change, environmental consciousness, and the decentralization of cultural activities across Lebanon.



Source link

Tags: BeirutBlanchettCateCinemaLabakiMetropolisNadineOpeningSupport
Share30Tweet19
rmtsa

rmtsa

Recommended For You

‘Black People Outside’ Takes Us Inside KOA’s Black Camper Retreat

by rmtsa
May 29, 2025
0
‘Black People Outside’ Takes Us Inside KOA’s Black Camper Retreat

by Jeroslyn JoVonn May 29, 2025 This summer, bring your vibe tribe together for a cozy, inclusive camping getaway. Whether camping or glamping, there’s something beautiful about spending...

Read more

Brad Pitt Opens Up About The ‘Annoyance’ of His Personal Life Being In Headlines

by rmtsa
May 29, 2025
0
Brad Pitt Opens Up About The ‘Annoyance’ of His Personal Life Being In Headlines

The film star also touched on his lengthy divorce from Angelina Jolie coming to an end after almost a decade. Brad Pitt wants you to know he was...

Read more

Global TV In The Spotlight At Monte-Carlo’s Glamorous Festival

by rmtsa
May 29, 2025
0
Global TV In The Spotlight At Monte-Carlo’s Glamorous Festival

Monte-Carlo readily conjures up images of casinos, super-yachts and motor-races. It also gathers the great and the good of the TV world each June for a Festival focused...

Read more

Diddy trial: Celeb stylist says he saw Combs ‘hit and kick’ Cassie Ventura – National

by rmtsa
May 29, 2025
0
Diddy trial: Celeb stylist says he saw Combs ‘hit and kick’ Cassie Ventura – National

NOTE: The following article contains disturbing details and video footage. Please read at your own discretion. Celebrity stylist Deonte Nash testified Wednesday at Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ sex trafficking and racketeering...

Read more

Capricorn Clark, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Former Assistant, Testifies

by rmtsa
May 28, 2025
0
Capricorn Clark, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Former Assistant, Testifies

Capricorn Clark, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former assistant, took to the stand on Tuesday (May 27) with more harrowing allegations about the hip-hop mogul’s alleged abusive past during his...

Read more
Next Post
How ‘The Six Triple Eight’ Costume Designer Paid Homage To The Unsung Black Women Of WWII – Essence

How 'The Six Triple Eight' Costume Designer Paid Homage To The Unsung Black Women Of WWII - Essence

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Browse by Category

  • Celebrity
  • Comics
  • DramaAlert
  • Gossip
  • Movie
  • Music
  • TV
  • Uncategorized

CATEGORIES

  • Celebrity
  • Comics
  • DramaAlert
  • Gossip
  • Movie
  • Music
  • TV
  • Uncategorized
No Result
View All Result

Recent News

  • ‘Black People Outside’ Takes Us Inside KOA’s Black Camper Retreat
  • NYC Council Passes Resolution Supporting Higher Pay for Artists on Streaming Services
  • Embracer Transforms Into Fellowship Entertainment, Goes All-In on THE LORD OF THE RINGS — GeekTyrant

Copyright © 2023 DramaWired.
DramaWired is a content aggregator and not responsible for the content of external sites.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Celebrity
  • DramaAlert
  • Gossip
  • Movie
  • TV
  • Music
  • Comics
  • Shop

Copyright © 2023 DramaWired.
DramaWired is a content aggregator and not responsible for the content of external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In