The film festival in Venice began on Wednesday with a press conference where the jury chairman Alexander Payne, among other things, received questions about how the Gaza war affects the film festival.
A long line of Italian film workers have signed an open letter demanding that the festival take a stronger stance for an end to the war in Gaza and on Saturday, a large pro-Palestinian demonstration will take place in Venice, arranged by local activists.
”Unprepared”
The American director first tried to sidestep the issue and refer the political to the organizers and festival director Alberto Barbera.
When he was pressed further by an international journalist, Payne explained that he was ”unprepared for the question”.
I am here to judge and talk about films. When it comes to my political views and what the industry does, I have to think about it for a while to be able to give a more nuanced answer, said Payne.
Gaza drama
The 82nd film festival in Venice is ongoing until September 6. Among the most talked-about films in advance are Luca Guadagnino's drama ”After the hunt” with Julia Roberts, ”Jay Kelly” with George Clooney and ”The smashing machine” where action hero Dwayne Johnson plays an unusually dramatic role as an abusive MMA fighter.
The most talked-about film in advance is ”The voice of Hind Rajab”, a drama based on the true story of a six-year-old girl who ends up in the middle of an Israeli air strike in Gaza. Ahead of the festival, Hollywood stars such as Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix have stepped in as producers and supported the film financially.
