As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent navigating virtual worlds and experiencing diverse narratives, I find myself deeply troubled by this real-life drama unfolding at the Venice Film Festival. The power of art, cinema in particular, lies in its ability to challenge, provoke thought, and foster empathy. When that power is manipulated or misused for political purposes, it’s a disservice not only to the art but also to the audience who seeks truth and understanding.
As a passionate gamer, I’d rephrase that statement like this: “Over 300 of us filmmakers have penned an open plea voicing our disagreement with two upcoming Israeli movies slated for screening at the Venice Film Festival.”
The demonstration by movie directors and artists during the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict focuses on two films: Dani Rosenberg’s “Al Klavim Veanashim” (Of Dogs and Men), which portrays the October 7 terror attacks in southern Israel, and Amos Gitai’s “Why War”. The latter film features Irène Jacob, Mathieu Amalric, Micha Lescot, and Jérôme Kircher, and is scheduled for its world premiere on Aug. 31, outside of competition.
In a statement released by Artists for Palestine Italia, they assert that the film “Of Dogs and Men“, produced amidst Israel’s persistent attacks on Gaza, falsely portrays the atrocities as something other than genocide. Similar to “Of Dogs and Men, Why War“, this production was likely created by Israeli companies that are complicit in apartheid, occupation, and now genocide, either through their silence or active involvement in artwashing (the process of making oppressive actions appear more acceptable through artistic means).
A variety of Palestinian movie directors and performers such as Hany Abu-Assad (Oscar-nominated), Rosalind Nashashibi, Raed Andoni, and Saleh Bakri are among the artists who stand for representation. Other names on the list are filmmakers Enrico Parenti and Alessandra Ferrini, actors Niccolò Senni, Simona Cavallari, Chiara Baschetti, and Paola Michelini, as well as screenwriter Davide Serino, a David di Donatello nominee.
Kathleen Chalfant (nominated for a Tony Award), Neo Sora (director of “Happyend”), and filmmakers Saul Williams, Brett Story, and Monica Maurer, along with composer Nitin Sawhney, have collectively voiced their concern in a letter. The gist of the letter is that they find it distressing that Venice has not spoken out against Israel’s mistreatment of Palestinian people. This lack of action on their part is causing significant upset among these individuals.
Read the full open letter below.
No Artwashing at 81 Mostra Del Cinema di Venezia
We, the undersigned artists, filmmakers and cultural workers, reject complicity with the Israeli regime of apartheid and oppose the artwashing of its Gaza genocide against Palestinians at the 81st Film Festival in Venice. Two films screening at the Festival—Of Dogs and Men and Why War—were created by Israeli production companies that are complicit in whitewashing Israel’s oppression against Palestinians.
The International Court of Justice, the world’s top court, has stated that Israel may be committing genocide against approximately 2.3 million Palestinians residing in Gaza. Furthermore, it declared that Israel’s system of apartheid and military occupation is illegal. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, alleging crimes including ‘extermination’ and ‘deliberately starving civilians, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people’.
In the midst of ongoing conflicts between Israel and Gaza, the film “Of Dogs and Men” is accused of glossing over genocide. Similar to “Of Dogs and Men,” the movie “Why War” was produced by Israeli companies involved in apartheid, occupation, and now potentially genocide due to their complicity through silence or active involvement in artwashing. The Palestinian film community, including most filmmakers, have urged to boycott screenings of such films.
The Venice Film Festival has chosen not to address the atrocities committed by Israel towards Palestinian people. This inaction angers us greatly. As artists and filmmakers from across the globe, we urge actionable and moral steps to bring apartheid Israel to justice for its wrongdoings and oppressive colonial regime against Palestinians.
It’s unacceptable to show films produced by companies associated with a regime that consistently commits atrocities against Palestinians at the Venice Film Festival. The festival should avoid programming movies connected to apartheid crimes, ethnic cleansing, and genocide, regardless of who is responsible for these acts. It’s important for this stance to be maintained in future selections as well.
As a gamer, I find it deeply unethical when art is manipulated to sugarcoat Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, particularly during international cultural events like film festivals. It’s not right.
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2024-08-28 20:25