Over a thousand actors and filmmakers vow to sever connections with Israeli entities implicated in acts of genocide

Over a thousand actors and filmmakers vow to sever connections with Israeli entities implicated in acts of genocide

In the recent Venice Film Festival, the poignant film 'The Voice of Hind' made a significant impact, telling the heart-wrenching story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who lost her life at the hands of Israeli soldiers. Despite receiving a standing ovation of over twenty minutes, the film missed out on the Golden Lion, the highest award, which went to 'Father mother sister brother' by Jim Jarmusch.

The film's success, however, sparked a larger conversation. A public pledge signed by over 1,200 film and television professionals, including directors like Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava DuVernay, and Adam McKay, refuses to collaborate with Israeli cinematographic institutions and companies. The signatories claim these institutions and companies are involved in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.

The call targets Israeli film festivals such as the Jerusalem Film Festival, Haifa International Film Festival, Docaviv, and TLVfest, stating that they have never fully defended the internationally recognized rights of the Palestinian people. The pledge has been shared by the Film Workers for Palestine organization and 'Variety'.

The statement comes amidst growing international concern over the situation in Gaza. The International Court of Justice has determined a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza and Israel's occupation and apartheid against the Palestinians as illegal. The call urges artists to take a stand and refuse to be complicit in funding Israel's attacks on Gaza through their taxes.

The document calling on film and television professionals to collaborate with Israeli cinema and film institutions and companies involved in genocide and apartheid against Palestinians was initiated by Palestinian and international activists and artists engaged in anti-apartheid and pro-Palestinian solidarity movements. The document shared by Film Workers for Palestine emphasizes various forms of complicity, including justifying or whitewashing acts of violence and collaborating with the Israeli government.

The call seeks to sever ties with institutions that fail to distance themselves from the regime or legitimize it through their participation or silence. Actress and comedian Hannah Einbinder, a signatory, offers a personal reflection stating that as an American Jewish citizen, she feels a duty to stop the genocide in Gaza.

The pledge asserts the power of cinema to shape perceptions and the need to confront complicity in the crisis in Gaza. The convening collective asserts that they are responding to the call of Palestinian filmmakers urging the international film industry to reject silence, racism, and dehumanization.

This is not the first time such a call has been made. Alexander Payne, jury president of this edition, had to explain why 'The Voice of Hind' did not win. He denied that a jury member threatened to resign for not awarding the film. Interestingly, the producer of the winning film announced an investment of $100 million in a venture capital firm linked to Israeli defense technology.

The power of collective action in the face of injustice is evident in this pledge. As the conversation around Palestine continues, it is clear that the film industry is taking a stand. Whether or not this will lead to significant change remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the voices of those affected by the conflict are being heard louder than ever before.

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