Key Takeaways
- Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor's 'NAZA' won a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival.
- The documentary highlights Israel's use of AI in killing civilians in Gaza, according to Israeli military and intelligence whistleblowers.
- The film was described as an 'urgent, gut-punch' and left many audience members stunned.
At the Venice Film Festival, an Israeli documentary titled 'NAZA' by directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor won a special jury prize. The film, which explores Israel's use of AI in killing civilians in Gaza, has garnered significant attention.
The documentary, which is 80 minutes long, was praised by critics and left many audience members stunned. Abraham, one of the directors, stated that in the 10 days since the festival began, 'Israel killed six Palestinian children in Gaza at least.'
Abraham and Szor used conversations with 24 Israeli military or intelligence whistleblowers who spoke on condition that their identities be protected. These interviews provided a chilling insight into the systematic nature of the killings, with interviewees describing their work as akin to a 'killing factory' or a 'lethal video game'.
The special jury prize, given out each year by the jury to recognise an outstanding work, is below the Golden and Silver Lions in the pecking order. Despite not winning the top prize, 'NAZA' received a 25-minute ovation at its premiere, indicating its impact.
The film was described as an 'urgent, gut-punch' by magazine Screen, while The Hollywood Reporter noted that it inspired 'outrage, indignity, and disgust on a profound level, for the current Israeli regime.'
In his acceptance speech, Abraham emphasized the importance of Israelis watching the film, stating, 'It’s our country that is doing these crimes.'
The festival also saw other notable winners, including Danish filmmaker May el Toukhy's post-war drama 'Woman Unknown', which won the top prize, and Russian-born filmmaker Ilya Khrzhanovsky's 'DAU', which won best director.
Set in the aftermath of World War Two, 'Woman Unknown' follows a housemaid whose past relationship with a German soldier threatens to destroy her future. The film explores the female body as a battleground and the invisibility of women in society.
The Venice Film Festival, known for its diverse and thought-provoking films, continues to attract filmmakers and audiences from around the world, highlighting the global impact of cinema.
Israel killed six Palestinian children in Gaza at least.
Yuval Abraham, Director
It’s our country that is doing these crimes.
Yuval Abraham, Director
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