The CEO and founder of a popular Oakville movie theatre said there is no choice but to cease showing South Asian films following another violent attack on the property.
Halton police noted that at 1:50 a.m. on Oct. 2, one suspect approached the entrance of Film.ca Cinemas and fired a handgun multiple times through the theatre’s front doors.
The individual then fled the scene.
Theatre CEO Jeff Knoll, who is also an Oakville councillor and chair of the Halton police board, said while the theatre was closed at the time of the shooting, a theatre manager was present on the second floor but not injured.
This is the second attack on the theatre in one week.
At 5:20 a.m. Sept. 25, two suspects went to the front entrance of the theatre and doused the area in gasoline before lighting it on fire.
This fire fizzled out before it could spread to the rest of the theatre, but damage was still estimated at $25,000.
Knoll said this time, damage may run as high as $50,000.
While Const. Ryan Anderson, Halton police media officer, said investigators are looking into possible motives behind these incidents, Knoll said he has no doubt that the attacks are being prompted by his theatre’s decision to show South Asian films.
He went on to elaborate that disagreements within the South Asian film industry have resulted in his theatre and other theatres becoming targets.
“There is just no question. It only happens when we do this,” said Knoll.
“I get the clear sense this is a mob-style situation where there are jealousies and anxiety because one theatre is getting a film and another theatre is not getting a film, and one distributor is getting rights to a film and another one is not.”
Knoll was defiant in the face of the Sept. 25 attack and previous incidents and threats.
On Sept. 26, Knoll issued a statement saying he would not be intimidated by “cowardly acts of violence.”
The firing of a gun at the theatre, however, is an escalation Knoll said he can’t ignore.
“We can’t put our cast members and guests in harm’s way,” he said.
“We can’t put our business interests ahead of the safety of others. They are clearly ramping up and we have to do what we can do to de-escalate and the best way to de-escalate at this point is to just stop showing these films.”
To that end, Film.ca said it will cease screening “Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, They Call Him OG” and all future South Asian films indefinitely.
Knoll said he would do whatever he could to co-operate with police in Halton and elsewhere as they search for the individuals responsible.
He said he looks forward to returning South Asian films to his theatre when those responsible for the recent incidents are caught.
In the meantime, Knoll offered the community his apologies.
“We’re devastated that we can’t continue to play the films that the members of the South Asian community want to enjoy,” he said.
“We always enjoy hosting the films because the excitement is palpable. Being here when these crowds come in to watch these movies is itself entertaining because they are so enthusiastic about their films and their stars and we love showing them.”
Knoll said Film.ca Cinemas was open Oct. 2 and remains open.
Halton police described the suspect in the Oct. 2 shooting as male with dark skin and a heavy build. He wore all black clothing and a black face mask.
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