Saturday night’s Venice Film Awards ceremony was politically charged, with speeches expressing sympathy for the Palestinian people and condemning Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“As an American Jewish artist, I must note that I accept this award on the 336th day of the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the 76th year of the occupation,” said American director Sarah Friedland as she accepted the Luigi De Laurentiis Award for Best First Film for “Family.”
“I believe it is our responsibility as filmmakers to use the institutional platforms we work on to correct Israeli impunity on the world stage. I stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and their struggle for liberation,” he continued.
Friedland’s film, which was entered into the Horizons competition, also received the award for best director.
Jewish director Sarah Friedland accepted the #VeniceFilmFestival León Del Futuro Award for Best First Film for ‘Familiar Touch’.
During his speech, he said he stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine and said: “I accept this award on the 336th day of… pic.twitter.com/w3uL3MyK1S
– Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 7, 2024
American actress Kathleen Chalfant, who starred in the film and received an award for her performance, also referred to the conflict in her speech, expressing hope that the disastrous turn of events in the region would end so that people on both sides could “live in peace, peace, freedom and justice.”
Palestinian director Skandar Kopti echoed Friedland’s words as he accepted the best screenplay award in the Horizons section for “Happy Holidays,” about four interconnected characters living in Haifa and representing different generations and cultures.
“I stand here deeply humbled, but at the same time deeply affected by the difficult times we have endured over the past 11 months. Our shared humanity and moral compass are being tested as we witness the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” he said.
Cursor previously wrote that the idea of a Palestinian state was criticized by a Lebanese director.
