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Free Thinking Film Society: Iranium WILL be shown Feb 6th thanks to Heritage Minister James Moore

Posted on January 21, 2011 | 6 comments

UPDATE: VoC thank you note to Iranian embassy re Iranium movie sell-out

UPDATED — Fred Litwin, founder of the Free Thinking Film Society, has sent out a letter explaining his version of the events that led to the recent cancellation of the Society’s screening of the film ‘Iranium’:

Iranium will be shown in Ottawa on February 6th!

January 21, 2011

Dear Free Thinking Film Society Supporter:

I want to express my extreme disappointment that Iranium was not shown in Ottawa this week. We are committed to ensuring this film is shown in the capital of Canada – and that our cultural policies are not dictated by the Khomeinist thugs of Iran.

So, I am happy to announce that Iranium will now be shown on Sunday, February 6th at 7:00 PM at the Library and Archives Canada. Clare Lopez will also be flying in to talk at the event. Tickets are $15.00 (Students/Seniors – $8.00) and will be available, in advance, at the following locations:

Compact Music, 785 1/2 Bank Street
Compact Music, 190 Bank Street
Ottawa Folklore Centre, 1111 Bank Street
Ottawa Festivals, 47 William Street

Tickets will also be available at the door, but to ensure you get a seat, please buy your ticket in advance.

What really happened this week

On Monday, January 17th at 2 PM, I was informed by staff of the Library & Archives Canada (LAC) that they had received ‘complaints’ about Iranium and had decided to cancel the film. They offered to find an alternate venue.

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Posted in 1. VoC's MOST IMPORTANT POST, 2. VoC's Favorite Post, Fred Litwin, Freedom of Expression, Islamic Extremism, Journalists, Leadership, MUST SEE

Tagged Iranium movie, James Moore

Suspicious package, threats shut down screening of Iranium movie after Iranian embassy complains

Posted on January 18, 2011 | Comments Off

UPDATE: VoiceofCanada, Jan 21/11: Free Thinking Film Society: Iranium WILL be shown Feb 6th thanks to Heritage Minister James Moore

UPDATED — From the Ottawa Sun, tonight, 8:37pm, h/t to Vlad Tepes and Blazing Cat Fur…

OTTAWA – A suspicious package and a rash of phone calls threatening protests shut down the planned screening of an anti-Iran documentary at Library and Archives Canada Tuesday night.

Iran’s embassy in Ottawa had tried to censor the film, Iranium, by complaining to the national library, which cancelled it until Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore stepped in.

But after library officials fielded calls they say threatened protests, they reversed course again and re-cancelled the event just hours before it was due to start.

They called in police and shut down the building after somebody hand-delivered suspicious letters, forcing out researchers working in the archives.

[…]

“It’s like the Iranians have set something in motion and they’re able to shut down a film in the capital of Canada,” said Fred Litwin. “They obviously thought they could push around some people and they were right.” […]

Ottawa Sun, Jan 18/11: Threats block anti-Iran movie screening

The ‘Vlad Tepes’ blog is all over this story, apparently from a ringside seat, and has some photos, including one of the notice sign posted announcing the closing of the building: