Academy Apologizes to Director Hamdan Ballal After Criticism

The Academy Awards back down and apologize directly to "No other land" director Hamdan Ballal, reports Variety. This after comprehensive criticism was directed at the Academy for not clearly supporting the Oscar-winning Palestinian director, when he was assaulted.

» Published: March 29 2025

Academy Apologizes to Director Hamdan Ballal After Criticism
Photo: Leo Correa/AP/TT

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"We sincerely apologize to Mr. Ballal", the Academy writes, among other things, in an open letter.

"We abhor when freedom of expression is attacked", it also says in the statement signed by the Academy's CEO Bill Kramer and Chairman Janet Yang.

Hamdan Ballal was attacked and assaulted by settlers on the West Bank on Monday. He was then detained by the Israeli military and spent a night in a police station, after which he was examined at a hospital in Hebron.

The Academy then issued a statement condemning "violence against cultural workers", but without mentioning Hamdan Ballal by name. This led to nearly 700 documentary filmmakers, directors, and actors signing a protest letter.

"No other land" was awarded an Oscar for best documentary at the gala on March 2. The film shows the consequences of the Israeli settlement policy on the West Bank. The film is made by four people, in addition to Palestinians Ballal and Adra, also Israelis Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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