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By Liam Verster

controversial film

Local movie theatre criticized for showing anti-LGBTQ+ film

Jun 11, 2024 | 4:45 PM

The Cineplex in Vernon is receiving criticism for showing what critics say is an anti-LGBTQ+ movie during Pride Month.

Kylie Walman, a lawyer with Nixon Wegner LLP in Vernon, a member of Lawyers Against Transphobia, a member of the queer community, and a parent of a school aged child, contacted Vernon Matters to express concern with the theatre airing a film called “The War on Children.”

Walman said the film has been criticized as anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-trans propoganda, as it reportedly “used trickery to have members of the LGBTQ community participate in the film and then edited their interviews to make it sound as though they were in favour of children being exposed to sexually explicit material.”

Walman added Rolling Stone magazine has covered the issue and reported on how the content of the participants had been manipulated and misrepresented.

The film will be privately screened at the request of a group called the Freedom Network at Galaxy Cinemas on June 15, with Walman noting this is in the middle of Pride Month, which Cineplex markets its company as being in support of.

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In an email exchange between Walman and Cineplex shared to Vernon Matters, the theatre said it rents out theatres for private screenings, meaning tickets would not be sold for the event by Cineplex.

Thomas Santram, senior vice president, general counsel for Cineplex Entertainment, also said “key restrictions” are in place to ensure it will only show films that have been reviewed and rated by Consumer Protection B.C. to ensure its suitable for viewing, adding this film has been given a 14A rating.

Walman goes on to argue that, as a private rental business, Cineplex can deny showing a film, “as long as the company is acting within the bounds of Human Rights legislation,” adding that should give Cineplex the ability to deny hosting the screening “on the grounds that it does not align with Cineplex’s policies and cultural beliefs about inclusion and human rights.”

Vernon Matters has reached out to Walman and Cineplex with requests for additional comment.