Free Republic

Cineworld cancels all showings of The Lady of Heaven after branches were picketed by Muslim activistsA UK cinema chain has cancelled all screenings of a “blasphemous” film about the daughter of the prophet Muhammad after branches were picketed by Muslim activists. Cineworld said it took the decision to cancel all showings of The Lady of Heaven to “ensure the safety of our staff and customers”. The cancellation was criticised by a House of Lords peer as being “disastrous for the arts, dangerous for free speech”. The film’s producer defended the rights of the protesters to express their displeasure but said...

The company is the largest exhibitor in Britain and the second-largest in North America. Following the delay of more Hollywood tentpoles — including James Bond film No Time to Die — mega-movie theater chain Cineworld, the second largest exhibitor globally after AMC, is planning to temporarily close or keep shut all of its locations in the U.K. and the U.S., The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.The British-based company is the largest circuit in the U.K with more than 120 sites, and the second-largest in North America, where it operates roughly 540 locations under the Regal Cinemas banner. While many of its U.K. theaters had reopened at the...