The Venice awards ceremony had a political edge on Saturday evening as multiple winners used their acceptance speeches to express sympathy for the Palestinian people and condemn Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“As a Jewish American artist working in a time-based medium, I should note that I am accepting this award on the 336th day of Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the 76th year of the occupation,” US director Sarah Friedland said as she accepted the Luigi. De Laurentiis Award for Best First Film for A familiar touch.
“I believe it is our responsibility as filmmakers to use the institutional platform through which we work to eliminate Israel’s impunity on the global stage. I stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and their struggle for liberation,” she continued.
Friedland’s film, which played in the Horizons competition, also won the category’s best director award, while Kathleen Chalfant won best actress for her performance as a woman adjusting to life in an assisted care home.
Look at the timeline
Chalfant also hinted at the conflict in her speech and expressed her hope that the disastrous turn of events in the region would end so that people on both sides could “live in peace, freedom and justice.”
Jewish director Sarah Friedland agreed #VeniceFilmFestival Lion of the Future Award for Best Debut Film for ‘Familiar Touch’.
During her speech she said she stood in solidarity with the people of Palestine and said “I accept this award on the 336th day. pic.twitter.com/w3uL3MyK1S
— DEADLINE (@DEADLINE) September 7, 2024
Friedland’s comments came amid growing condemnation of Israel’s 10-month military campaign in Gaza, with the room erupting into loud applause. The conflict began with an October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which killed more than 1,000 people and resulted in 251 hostages.
According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, the Israeli response has devastated the densely populated strip, and resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians and the injury of more than 94,000. Israel believes that 60 to 70 hostages are still alive in Gaza.
Palestinian filmmaker Skander Kopti echoed Friedland’s words as he accepted the award for best screenplay in the Horizons category. Happy HolidaysAbout four interconnected characters living in Haifa, navigating different generational and cultural backgrounds.
“I am very honored to be here, yet deeply moved by the difficult times we have been through in the last 11 months, witnessing the ongoing genocide in Gaza that has tested our shared humanity and moral compass,” he said.
“This painful reality reminds us of the devastating consequences of oppression, which is the theme of our film. Our film looks at how moral narratives can bring us together as a community, but can also blind us to the suffering of others.”
Post Israel-Gaza conflict in focus at Venice awards ceremony as multiple winner voices support for Palestinian people appeared first deadline.