Faithwire
  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • News
  • Politics
  • Coronavirus Updates
  • Faith
  • Opinion
  • Christmas
  • Set Free Course

CEO of Canadian Theater Showing Pro-Life Movie ‘Unplanned’ Shares Strong Message for Film’s Protesters

Image credit: @UnplannedMovie/Twitter
Image credit: @UnplannedMovie/Twitter
Share Tweet
By Tré Goins-Phillips
Editor

July 10, 2019

This week, the CEO of Cineplex Entertainment, the theater company in Canada showing the pro-life movie “Unplanned,” gave the film’s protesters a quick primer on the freedom of speech.

Supporters of the Pure Flix movie campaigned in June for Cineplex to show the film, which chronicles the real-life story of former Planned Parenthood executive turned pro-life activist Abby Johnson. At the time, the company chose not to air “Unplanned” because it lacked a distributor.

As Alyssa Milano’s Hollywood Georgia Boycott Gains Steam, One Production Company Is Doubling Down

But now, after weeks of pressure, Cineplex CEO Ellis Jacob said Monday the theater company will, for one week, screen the faith-based movie in 14 of its nearly 1,700 auditoriums across Canada.

An open letter from Cineplex CEO Ellis Jacob, on our decision to screen Unplanned. pic.twitter.com/bkA7tx2NWt

— Cineplex (@CineplexMovies) July 8, 2019

What else did he say?

Jacob offered those protesting the movie a quick lesson in free speech and the importance of protecting it.

“Many of us will have to set aside our own personal beliefs and remember that living in a country that censors content, opinions and points of view because they are different from our own is not a country that any of us would want to live in,” Jacob wrote, noting he is “confident” in his decision.

While he acknowledged it was the right choice for Cineplex, Jacob did admit the “decision to move forward with screenings of this particular film was a complicated one and it was not made easily or lightly.”

Almost 100 Abortion Clinic Workers Seek to Leave Industry After Seeing Pro-Life Movie ‘Unplanned’

In addition, Jacob pointed out that, when he migrated to Canada in 1969, what he loved most about the country was the fact its citizens “don’t shy away from our differences,” but instead “embrace them.”

“I understand and appreciate the concerns about the film,” he went on to write, “but it is up to each of us to decide whether or not we want to see it. In Canada, we have that option and I think it is an important thing to remember.”

What else is going on?

Much like pro-abortion groups in the U.S. have lambasted the film, The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada has claimed, according to CBC, that “Unplanned” is “a dangerous piece of anti-abortion propaganda” that “could incite fanatics to commit acts of harassment or violence against clinics or doctors.”

Ironically, though, it’s not the pro-life crowd causing theaters to shut down screenings of the Pure Flix movie due to threats.

CTV News reported Salmar Theaters in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, has had to cancel its five-day screening of “Unplanned” because its staff members have received threats. And management at The Movie Mill in Lethbridge, Alberta, plans to beef up security during the screening following “a vocal negative opposition” and “multiple” protests.

Mom Sues Hospital for Not Telling Her That Her Baby Had Down Syndrome, Said She Would Have Aborted

“In light of this, we are hiring additional security for the opening weekend just to err on caution,” Leonard Binning, president of The Movie Mill, Inc., wrote in an email to reporters.

As for Cineplex, Jacob’s decision to debut the movie in a very limited number of auditoriums has prompted the Twitter hashtag #boycottCineplex.

While #Unplanned is at @CineplexMovies I won't be. My rights over my body isn't a "difference" that should be given a platform for debate. Women deserve control over their bodies. Period. I'm horrified. #boycottCineplex https://t.co/aechJYOG7V

— Beth Tonken (@BTonken) July 9, 2019

"Controversial" aka untruthful, and looking to limit women's right to legal reproductive health care. I will #boycottCineplex in light of this decision because I support health care for women and I don't believe in promoting untrue material https://t.co/v6CbKWTIW1

— Karen McPherson ?? (@MLA_Karen) July 9, 2019

This isn't controversial in a Lars Von Trier way, it's controversial in a propagandizing harm to women way.

Don't fall for the "free speech" line. #Cineplex chooses not to screen thousands of films yearly. It's not neutral. It's a choice to throw women under the bus for profit. https://t.co/coFDSoGtig

— Mitchell LeBlanc (@Spockrates) July 9, 2019

It’s worth noting, however, that Ashley Bratcher, who plays Johnson in the pro-life movie, which first debuted in the U.S. in late March, commended Cineplex for showing “Unplanned.”

Bravo ? "In this instance many of us will have to set aside our own personal beliefs & remember that living in a country that censors content, opinions & points of view because they are different from our own is not a country that any of us want to live in." @UnplannedMovie https://t.co/GjesbqlZqM

— Ashley Bratcher (@_AshleyBratcher) July 9, 2019

Latest

  • Faith

    ‘Jesus Has All Authority’: Candace Cameron Bure Says ‘Powerful Enemy’ Attacked Her Home

  • culture

    ‘I Thank God’: Incredibly Happy Ending to Crazy Rescue That Sent Good Samaritans Fleeing Into Bustling Traffic

  • culture

    Disney Support Appears to Tank Amid Uproar Over Florida’s ‘Parental Rights’ Law

  • Faith

    ‘Why Did You Choose to Have Me?’: Fox News Host Asks His Mom On-Air Why She Chose Life After Getting Pregnant as a Teen

  • Faith

    Wynonna Judd Praises ‘Pentecostal’ God During CMT Show Honoring Her Late Mother Naomi Judd


Navigation

  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter
  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter your inbox every day.

Newsletter Signup

Do you want to read
more articles like this?