Cineworld Pulls ‘Lady Of Heaven’ From U.K. Cinemas Following Protests by Muslim Groups, Producer Voices Disappointment

variety.com:

K.J. Yossman “The Lady of Heaven” executive producer Malik Shlibak has voiced his disappointment over Cineworld’s decision to pull his film from U.K.

cinemas following protests.The first-time feature producer, who is also chairman of non-profit organization The Rafida Foundation, told Variety he is “very, very disappointed” by the decision, adding: “This is sending a creative message to any group or groups like this that any time you have any slight mild offense feel free to demand everyone to cave into your way of thinking.”The film was made by U.K.-based Enlightened Kingdom, where Shlibak is a company director, and sold at the Cannes Marché du Film last year by sales agent Hannibal Pictures.

The response at Cannes was “overwhelmingly positive,” Shlibak told Variety. “It was very much welcomed by Muslims, non Muslims, all sorts of people over there in Cannes.” “Enlightened Kingdom will fight this battle in terms of standing up for our rights as film producers and for the rights of the public to see the film and for freedom of speech in general,” Shlibak said.Mooky Greidinger’s Cineworld — which operates Regal Cinemas in the U.S.

and Cineworld and Picturehouse Cinemas in the U.K. — this week pulled “The Lady of Heaven,” a story about the Islamic prophet Muhammad’s daughter Lady Fatima, following protests by Muslim groups.“Due to recent incidents related to screenings of ‘The Lady of Heaven,’ we have made the decision to cancel upcoming screenings of the film nationwide to ensure the safety of our staff and customers,” a spokesperson from Cineworld told Variety.Over 100 people attended a demonstration outside the Bolton Cineworld on Sunday to protest a screening of the movie, according to The Bolton News.