Film Director Jarmusch expresses concern over Mubi's ties to the Israeli military.

In the world of independent arthouse films, Mubi, a streaming service founded in 2007, has been making waves as an increasingly influential distributor and producer. However, a recent funding round has sparked controversy among some of the industry's most prominent figures.

Mubi recently received a $100 million investment from Silicon Valley firm Sequoia Capital, valuing the company at $1 billion and making it a unicorn. Sequoia Capital plays a leading role in Mubi's financing structure for this round, a move that has raised concerns among some creatives.

Director Jim Jarmusch, known for films such as "Broken Flowers" and the upcoming "Father Mother Sister Brother", has expressed disappointment and disconcertion about Mubi's relationship with Sequoia Capital. Jarmusch, who has a history of working with Mubi and found them to be fantastic to work with on "Father Mother Sister Brother", considers corporate money, in general, to be "dirty money".

"Father Mother Sister Brother" premieres at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday and features a star-studded cast including Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, and Tom Waits. Jarmusch, who plans to shoot a new film in France, intends to add France to his list of places in his life.

The controversy surrounding Mubi's funding has also seen director Jim Jarmusch applying for a long-term residency visa in France. High-profile exiles from the US entertainment industry include Ellen DeGeneres, who has moved to London, and Rosie O'Donnell who has set up home in Ireland.

Notably, a petition was signed by Jarmusch and other creatives in response to Mubi's funding from Sequoia Capital. The petitioners have expressed concerns about the potential influence of corporate money on the creative process and the ethics of working with companies involved in controversial activities, such as Sequoia Capital's portfolio company, Israeli defense firm Kela.

Mubi founder and CEO Efe Cakarel has denied the company's complicity in the events occurring in Gaza. Cakarel stressed that Sequoia was a minority shareholder in Mubi, and Mubi remains committed to supporting independent filmmakers and promoting diverse voices in cinema.

Despite the controversy, Mubi continues to distribute and produce a wide range of independent arthouse films, including Jarmusch's latest work. The future of Mubi's relationship with Sequoia Capital and the impact on the independent film industry remains to be seen.