Cannes Festival Sees Over 380 Film Figures Speak Out Against Gaza Genocide
In a powerful statement ahead of the Cannes Film Festival, more than 380 prominent figures from the film industry, including actor Ralph Fiennes and director Pedro Almodovar, condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza, labeling it as "genocide." This open letter, initiated by pro-Palestinian activist groups, was published in French daily Libération and the U.S. magazine Variety. The signatories highlighted the recent death of Gazan photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, who was killed alongside 10 family members during an Israeli airstrike on her home.
Hassouna’s story will be featured in a forthcoming documentary, "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk," directed by Sepideh Farsi, which will premiere at Cannes. Farsi urged festival organizers to take a stand against the violence in Gaza, emphasizing that a non-political stance is inadequate in the face of such humanitarian crises.
While the festival opens today with a tribute to the devastating impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine, including screenings of documentaries about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, no such programming addressing the current situation in Gaza has been planned. Still, Hassouna’s film aims to honor her memory.
Cannes director Thierry Frémaux has hailed the festival’s rich American film lineup and the essential role of cinema in telling stories of conflict. While the festival embraces a spirit of inclusivity for independent films, it retains ties to Hollywood through high-profile premieres, including the latest Mission: Impossible installment featuring Tom Cruise.
Off-screen, the festival is also expected to address recent controversies, including high-profile legal cases involving French actors, as the world of cinema grapples with social and political issues both on and off the screen.
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