A stern open letter signed by more than 350 industry personalities has brought Gaza into the limelight at the Cannes Film Festival. Hollywood celebrities such as Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon have joined filmmakers and actors across the globe to denounce the “genocide” in Gaza.
A Letter with a Purpose
The letter, published in Libération and Variety, calls on the international community to cease turning a blind eye to the violence. It cites photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, who died in an Israeli airstrike that took 10 relatives with her. She is also the subject of a documentary that will debut at Cannes.
The movie, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, is by Iranian director Sepideh Farsi. She stated that the festival cannot claim to be politically neutral. “Saying ‘the festival isn’t political’ doesn’t make sense,” she explained to AFP.
Big Names Join the Call
Other panel members who have signed include Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodóvar, Spain; Oscar-winning director Jonathan Glazer; actors Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo. Initial reports said Cannes jury president Juliette Binoche had also signed up, but she has since clarified she hadn’t.
Palestinian filmmakers, Arab and Tarzan Nasser, will also show a 2007 Gaza-set film, offering another perspective to the Palestinian voice.
Cannes Spins Elsewhere
As the Gaza war hangs over Cannes, the festival has no formal programming for it. Instead, it has a “Ukraine Day” with three Ukraine-focused films on Russia’s war. Two of these involve Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The festival stated that this is part of its role in standing with artists during times of war. Critics argue, however, that it fails to give comparable attention to Palestine.
Opening Night and Controversy
The festival opened up on Tuesday, with Leave One Day from newcomer Amélie Bonnin. Political firebrand Robert De Niro will be given an honorary Palme d’Or.
Cannes director Thierry Frémaux saluted American cinema’s roster this year with the likes of Wes Anderson and Ari Aster on board. Off-screen, meanwhile, French actor Gérard Depardieu awaits court verdicts.
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A Red Carpet With Resistance
The Cannes Film Festival may glamorise cinema, but this year’s red carpet carries tension. Farsi’s film and the open letter show that filmmakers aren’t staying silent. Whether Cannes takes a stance or not, Gaza has already made its presence felt.
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