Halifax’s Carbon Arc Cinema sees rising demand for independent and controversial documentaries

Carbon Arc Cinema, an independent theatre in Halifax that has operated since 2010, says post-pandemic audiences are returning to communal filmgoing, boosting ticket sales. Artistic director Lee Anne Gillan noted a “hunger in people to engage with things in community” after restrictions eased.

The cinema’s programming emphasizes independent, international and Canadian titles that are not typically shown by major chains. Recent offerings have included the Japanese mystery The Samurai and the Prisoner and a documentary on pioneering filmmaker Barbara Hammer.

The documentary NAZA, which examines alleged Israeli use of artificial-intelligence technology in targeting civilians, has attracted large audiences, prompting five sold-out screenings and plans for additional showings. Gillan said the team anticipated interest in the film, recalling that a previous documentary by the same directors, No Other Land, also drew strong attendance.

NAZA premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, receiving a special jury prize and a Critics Choice Documentary Award for best political documentary. The film has also faced criticism from the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described it as containing factual errors and called for investigations into its sources. The Guardian, which produced the documentary, said it would defend the film against attempts at censorship.

In response to the controversy, a separate documentary titled Naza: The Real Story was produced by an IDF reservist and colleagues, aiming to present evidence of Hamas operations in Gaza. Gillan said she has not seen the rebuttal film and could not confirm whether Carbon Arc would screen it. The theatre continues to select films based on artistic merit and perceived audience interest.