Washington: Actor and filmmaker Cate Blanchett on Saturday supported the reopening of the Metropolis Cinema in Beirut, Lebanon, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “This is a remarkable achievement, and I congratulate everyone involved in the opening of the Metropolis Cinema in the heart of Beirut,” Blanchett said in a message read at the official opening ceremony in the city's Mar Mikhel district.
“Not only will it be a space where Lebanese cinema can flourish and new voices can emerge, but in these extremely tragic, heartbreaking and shocking times, this venue in Mar Mikhel is a testament to the resilience and cultural resurgence that Brings stories to life and unites the community,” he said.
The 18-year-old cinema had to halt operations in 2019 during Lebanon's economic crisis. Then, the massive devastation of Beirut's port explosion in 2020 triggered a shock wave blast that destroyed a cinema complex in the city's nightlife district, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Recently, the official reopening of the Metropolis Cinema was postponed from early October to this weekend due to the ongoing conflict between Israeli and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.
As part of a major cultural center in Beirut, the new venue in Mar Mikhael features a green space with two indoor theatres, an outdoor theater and a café to accommodate filmgoers, artists and film professionals. Is ready. “We all know that we need a space like this more than ever, given the current circumstances,” Capernaum director Nadine Labaki, who is Lebanese and Canadian, said in a statement at the official opening. It is proof that Lebanon has not lost its soul, and that this hall is not just a movie theater, it is also a haven for many dreams, aspirations and ideas. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it is amazing to see that everything. to be Despite this, there are still people who dare to sow beauty, art and culture.”
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