"There's no question it's a more competitive market than 10 or even 5 years ago," said Karen Cooper, who has been running Film Forum (which is non-profit) since 1972.

Kyra is the daughter of Karl Hardman, an investor and actor in the film, was selected to play Karen Cooper because of the film's tight budget.

Karen Cooper, who is 43 years old and has run the Film Forum in Manhattan for the last 20 of its 22 years, is a seeker after exotica.

Kyra Schon as Karen Cooper: Karen was played by Hardman's 11-year-old daughter.

But in discussions with Mr. James earlier this month, Karen Cooper, director of Film Forum, agreed to postpone the opening indefinitely.

When Karen Cooper became director of the Film Forum in 1972, the theater was a two-year-old showcase for independent films but not for old movies.

Hardly an hour went by over the weekend that the event's spokeswoman, Karen Cooper, didn't sidle up to ask me if there was anything she could do.

Karen Cooper, director of the Film Forum, an independent theater at 209 West Houston Street, said the plan would endanger moviegoers.

The new 10,000-square-foot theater will be twice the size of the present one, and will have three screens with 137, 148 and 173 seats respectively, Karen Cooper, the theater's director, said.

Karen Cooper became director in 1972 and under her leadership, Film Forum has grown dramatically.