Films and artists at the Venice Film Festival expressing solidarity with Palestine, with participants including Brad Pitt and Yorgos Lanthimos
The 82nd Venice Film Festival, running until September 6, is not just a celebration of cinema but also a platform for political expression. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has sparked a wave of activism, with the Venice4Palestine collective urging festival organizers to amplify Palestinian narratives.
On August 23, Venice4Palestine circulated an open letter, garnering over 1,500 signatures from the Italian film industry. The letter called for a focus on Palestine during the festival. Protesters from Venice4Palestine unfurled a "Free Palestine, Stop the Genocide" banner outside the Palazzo del Cinema on August 27.
Festival jury president Alexander Payne does not publicly support Venice4Palestine, unlike Cannes Film Festival jury president Juliette Binoche who signed an open letter condemning the "genocide" in Gaza. However, Payne comments that films may not directly alter global politics, but they serve as essential historical documents reflecting societal awareness.
One such film is "The Voice of Hind Rajab," directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania. The film tells the story of a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza. The politically charged film premieres on September 3 and has been included in the main competition, ensuring a Palestinian narrative on the international stage. Hollywood actors Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix have shown their support for the film.
Another film making waves at the festival is the English-language remake of the Korean movie Save the Green Planet!, titled Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. The film explores paranoia and distrust in modern society. Lanthimos wore a Palestinian flag pin at the press conference and red carpet premiere of his film, signifying his support for the Palestinian cause.
The festival director, Alberto Barbera, emphasizes the festival's stance as a platform for dialogue, not boycott. A mass march from Santa Maria Elisabetta to the red carpet is planned for August 30, with hundreds of activists expected to participate.
As the festival continues, it remains to be seen how these political expressions will shape the discourse and impact the international film community.
