More than 1,200 professionals from the film industry have signed an agreement of the Film World for Palestine not to collaborate with Israeli cinematographic institutions.
The commitment was made public this morning through an open letter published on Instagram. Film World for Palestine states that 1200 filmmakers, actors and workers of the film industry have signed the letter.
Among the high profile names listed by the group are included Adam McKay, Asif Kapadia, Ava Duvernay, Ayo Edebiri, Boots Riley, Cynthia Nixon, Debra Winger, Emma Seligman, Gael García Bernal, Hannah Einbinder, Ilana Glazer, Javier Bardem, Josh O’Connor, Joshua Oppenheimer, Lukas Dhont, Mark Ruffal Melissa Barrera, Morgan Spector, Olivia Colman, Riz Ahmed, Susan Sarandon, Tilda Swinton and Yorgos Lanthimos. In a second update it was reported that Emma Stone, Peter Sarsgaard, Lily Gladstone and Elliot Page They also added their signature.
The group said that the promise was inspired by the United filmmakers against the 1987 apartheid, founded by Jonathan Demme and Martin Scorsese in the apogee of apartheid in South Africa.
“Inspired by united filmmakers against Apartheid, who refused to project their films in South Africa of Apartheid, we are committed not to project movies, appear or work otherwise with Israeli cinematographic institutions (including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and production companies) that are involved* in the genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people,” said the letter.
The organization said that complicity examples include “covering up or justifying genocide and apartheid, and/or associating with the government that commits them.”
Film World for Palestine letter
“As filmmakers, actors, workers of the film industry and institutions, we recognize the power of cinema to mold perceptions. In this moment of urgent crisis, where many of our governments allow the massacre in Gaza, we must do everything possible to address complicity in that implacable horror.
The most important court in the world, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that There is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza and that the Israeli occupation and apartheid against the Palestinians are illegal. Defending equality, justice and freedom for all people is a deep moral duty that none of us can ignore. Therefore, we must also raise their voice against the damage inflicted to the Palestinian people.
We respond to the call of Palestinian filmmakers, who have urged the international film industry to reject silence, racism and dehumanizationas well as to “do everything possible” to end the complicity in their oppression.
Inspired by united filmmakers against apartheid who refused to project their films in South Africa of Apartheid, we are committed to not projecting films, appearing in them or collaborating in any way with Israeli cinematographic institutions (including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and producers) involved* in the genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.
* Among the complicity examples include covering up or justifying genocide and apartheid, and/or collaborating with the government that commits them. “
The response of the Israel film and television producers association
In a statement in response to the promise, the Israel film and television producers association He said: “The signatories of This request is pointing to wrong people”
“For decades, Israeli artists, narrators and creators have been the main voices that allow the public to listen and witness the complexity of the conflict, including Palestinian narratives and criticism of the policies of the Israeli State,” reads the statement.
“We work with Palestinian creators, sharing our stories and promoting peace and the end of violence through thousands of films, television series and documentaries. This boycott call is deeply wrong“
The statement continues to describe the boycott as “unrealistic” and that serves to “eliminate precisely the collaboration efforts aimed at ending violence and reaching peace.”
“We will not allow this and yield in our efforts to end violence and achieve fair peace in our region for the benefit of all,” adds the statement. “We urge the international community to recognize our commitment to dialogue, peace and expression of all parties in this conflict. Our stories are tools for understanding and healing, and we will continue to use them to help end violence. ”
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
