Background and Key Figures
More than 1,500 film industry professionals, including Olivia Colman, Javier Bardem, and Mark Ruffalo, have announced they will stop collaborating with Israeli institutions accused of being “complicit in genocide” in Gaza, according to a letter published in The Guardian on Monday.
Prominent Signatories:
- Olivia Colman – An acclaimed British actress known for her roles in “The Crown” and “The Favourite.”
- Javier Bardem – A Spanish actor and director, famous for his roles in “No Country for Old Men” and “Skyfall.”
- Mark Ruffalo – An American actor known for his roles in “The Avengers” and “Spotlight.”
- Juan Diego Botto – A Spanish actor of Argentine descent, known for his work in theater and film.
- Fernando Meirelles – A Brazilian film director and screenwriter, known for “City of God” and “Blindness.”
- Gael García Bernal – A Mexican actor and filmmaker, known for his roles in “Amores Perros” and “Y Tu Mamá También.”
- Cecilia Roth – An Argentine actress known for her work in theater, film, and television.
- Nahuel Perez Biscayart – An Argentine actor known for his roles in “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” and “Summertime.”
- Mercedes Morán – An Argentine actress known for her roles in “Capitalina” and “El secreto de sus ojos.”
- Isabel Coixet – A Spanish film director, screenwriter, and producer.
- Emma Suárez – A Spanish actress known for her roles in “The Invisible Guest” and “Summertime.”
The Boycott and Its Inspiration
This commitment, driven by the group Film Workers for Palestine (Trabajadores del cine por Palestina), draws inspiration from the cultural boycott during South Africa’s apartheid era, specifically the “Filmmakers United Against Apartheid” movement.
Targets of the Boycott
The letter urges filmmakers to stop collaborating with festivals, cinemas, distributors, and production companies that, according to the signatories, “excuse or justify genocide and apartheid.”
- Festival de Cine de Jerusalén – A film festival in Jerusalem that continues to collaborate with the Israeli government.
- Docaviv – A documentary film festival that also maintains ties with the Israeli government.
The signatories claim that most Israeli film entities, sales agents, cinemas, and organizations have failed to fully acknowledge the international rights of the Palestinian people.
However, they acknowledge that some Israeli film entities are not complicit, though they do not specify which ones.
Previous Calls for Action
In late August, the Italian filmmaker collective Venice4Palestine urged the Venice Film Festival to “clearly and unequivocally” oppose Israel’s actions, gathering 2,000 signatures, including those of Guillermo del Toro and Ken Loach.
Earlier in Cannes, around 900 personalities signed a statement denouncing the “silence” surrounding the “genocide” in Gaza, including jury president Juliette Binoche, Pedro Almodóvar, Joaquin Phoenix, and Susan Sarandon.
Context of the Conflict
The conflict in the Gaza Strip escalated following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,219 Israelis, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official data.
Israel’s retaliation led to at least 64,368 deaths in Gaza, mostly women and children, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry under Hamas control, which is considered reliable by the UN.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the key figures involved in this boycott? Over 1,500 film industry professionals, including Olivia Colman, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, Juan Diego Botto, Fernando Meirelles, and Gael García Bernal.
- What is the purpose of this boycott? To protest Israeli institutions’ alleged complicity in the conflict and human rights violations in Gaza.
- What specific entities are targeted by this boycott? Festivals, cinemas, distributors, and production companies accused of excusing or justifying genocide and apartheid.
- What previous calls for action inspired this boycott? The cultural boycott during South Africa’s apartheid era, specifically the “Filmmakers United Against Apartheid” movement.
- What is the context of the Gaza conflict? The conflict began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in significant loss of life on both sides.
