The planned revival of Los Angeles’s 88-year-old Bruin Theatre is under pressure after reports highlighted alleged past misconduct and antisemitic social-media posts by its new operator, Canadian exhibitor Rui Pereira. Pereira dismissed scrutiny of the remarks as an online “distraction” from reopening the cinema, while local Jewish organisations said his stewardship of a prominent cultural venue was unacceptable.

Pereira signed the Bruin lease in July after an earlier proposed deal involving director Jason Reitman collapsed; Reitman now runs the nearby Westwood Village Theatre. IndieWire reported allegations including unpaid bills and unlicensed screenings at Pereira’s Toronto venues, alongside posts using antisemitic and racist language; Pereira denies being anti-Jewish and says all audiences, including Zionists, are welcome. The theatre sits in an area with a large Jewish population, and questions remain over whether the controversy could affect studio bookings, premieres and filmmaker participation.