Filmmakers' protest against the screening of Israeli films at the Venice Film Festival

At the Venice Film Festival, around 300 filmmakers, including Palestinian director Hani Abu Asad, protested the festival’s decision to screen two Israeli films. In an open letter, this group criticized the choice of the festival and demanded Israel’s accountability for the crimes and the colonial system against the Palestinians.

According to the Buraq Hamim art news site , this news is related to the protests of filmmakers against the screening of Israeli films at the Venice Film Festival. At the Venice Film Festival, about 300 filmmakers, including Palestinian director Hani Abu Asad, protested the festival’s decision to screen two Israeli films. they did In an open letter, this group criticized the choice of the festival and demanded Israel’s accountability for the crimes and the colonial system against the Palestinians.

They stated that it was unacceptable to show films made by production companies linked to the Israeli regime, which continuously commit crimes against the Palestinian people. These artists especially mentioned the films “Of Dogs and Humans” directed by Danny Rosenberg and “Why War” directed by Amosh Gitai and accused them of legitimizing the crimes of Israel.

At the same time, American-Jewish director Sarah Friedland said at the festival’s awards ceremony that as an American-Jewish artist at this time, she must speak out about her responsibility to address Israel’s crimes in Gaza.

Despite these protests, the head of the festival, Alberto Barbera, announced that he has no intention of removing Israeli films from the festival program.

1. Collective protest of filmmakers

About 300 filmmakers, including Hani Abu Asad, a Palestinian director, protested the festival’s decision to screen two Israeli films by signing an open letter. They demanded that Israel be held accountable for the crimes and colonialist behavior against the Palestinians.

2. The content of the criticized films

The two films that were protested by this group of artists are:
– **”Of Dogs and Humans”** directed by Danny Rosenberg
– **”Why War”** directed by Amosh Gitai

These films refer to crimes committed by the Israeli regime against the Palestinians, and the filmmakers believe that showing such works of art is a way of legitimizing these behaviors.

3. Statement by Sarah Friedland

American-Jewish director Sarah Friedland emphasized the importance as a Jewish artist of expressing her responsibility against Israel’s crimes in Gaza at the festival’s awards ceremony. This statement and emphasizing the responsibility of artists in dealing with social and political issues added to the appeal of the protests.

4. The reaction of the head of the festival

Despite these widespread protests, the head of the festival, Alberto Barbera, announced that the festival has no plans to remove Israeli films from its program. This point shows the continuation of the festival’s policies in the direction of showing cinematographic works from different aspects, regardless of international policies.

5. Political and social contexts

This issue is somehow related to the global critical policies towards Israel and the current debates about human rights and their colonial policies. The protest of these artists can refer to creating more awareness about the Palestinian crisis and discussions related to art and politics.

The event also illustrates the complex interactions between art and politics, and could have further implications for future festivals and how artists and audiences treat artworks.

Criticism of showing films : The directors believe that the festival should not show films whose producers are involved in the Israeli apartheid regime.
Subject of the letter : The letter states that showing these films is a kind of “artistic washing” of Israel’s crimes in the international cultural scene, and they consider this action immoral.
Protested films : The films “Al Klavim Veanashim (Of Dogs and Men)” directed by Donny Rosenberg and “Why War” directed by Amos Gitai have been criticized, especially for the political and social context in which they were filmed.

These developments show the growing tensions in the international filmmaking community around issues such as human rights and criticism of the policies of the infamous Zionist regime.

Venice Festival 2024

The Venice Film Festival is one of the oldest film festivals in the world. This festival was held for the first time in 1932. This festival is held in Italy and in the city of Venice. This year, the 81st Venice Film Festival was held and prominent artists participated in it. This festival lasted from August 28 to September 7.