Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham’s documentary “NAZA” has made waves at the Venice Film Festival with a remarkable 24.5-minute ovation during its world premiere. The film sheds light on Israel’s use of AI-based military systems to target and eliminate Palestinian civilians in Gaza, drawing emotional reactions from viewers, including tears from Abraham and solemn expressions from the filmmakers.
The standing ovation for “NAZA” broke records at Venice, surpassing previous ovation times for renowned films like “The Voice of Hind Rajab” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha were present during the screening, along with audience members displaying Palestinian and Lebanese flags in solidarity.
Filmed covertly in Tel Aviv over three years, “NAZA” features interviews with Israeli military personnel whose identities are concealed. The documentary alleges the use of surveillance and AI technology to target Hamas members, disregarding the presence of innocent civilians, including women and children, in the bombings.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have refuted the film’s claims, stating that decisions to strike targets are made by humans and emphasizing efforts to minimize civilian harm. “NAZA,” named after an Israeli military acronym for civilian casualties, is a follow-up to Abraham and Szor’s award-winning documentary “No Other Land.”
Executive produced by Jonathan Glazer, “NAZA” has stirred controversy, particularly due to Glazer’s previous statements against the Israel-Hamas conflict. The documentary sheds light on the ongoing violence in Gaza, with Abraham highlighting the systemic nature of the situation and the need for awareness and action.
The film’s powerful portrayal of the conflict has sparked discussions and debates, shedding light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
