Cate Blanchett Celebrates Metropolis Cinema Reopening in Beirut

Cate Blanchett has voiced her support for the reopening of the Metropolis Cinema in Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday.

“This is a remarkable achievement, and I extend my congratulations to 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 Mikhael district.

“Not only will it be a space where Lebanese cinema can flourish and new voices can emerge, but in these deeply tragic, heartbreaking and bewildering times, this venue in Mar Mikhael stands as a testament to resilience and cultural revival — bringing stories to life and uniting the community,” she added.

The 18-year-old cinema had to halt operations during Lebanon’s economic crisis of 2019. Then, the massive devastation of Beirut’s port blast in 2020 unleashed a shock wave explosion that destroyed the cinema complex in the city’s nightlife district.

More recently, the year-long war between the Israeli and Hezbollah armies in Lebanon further delayed the official reopening of the Metropolis Cinema from early October to this weekend. The new venue in Mar Mikhael features two indoor cinemas, an outdoor cinema and a green area with a café set to host film professionals, artists and cinephiles as part of a key cultural hub in Beirut.

Capernaum director Nadine Labaki, who is Lebanese and Canadian, added in her own statement read at the official opening: “We all know that we need a space like this more than ever given the current circumstances. What’s happening is proof that Lebanon doesn’t lose its spirit, and this hall isn’t just a movie theater, it’s also a refuge for many dreams, aspirations and ideas. It’s really wonderful to see that despite everything, there are still people who dare to sow beauty, art and culture.”