After over 3,900 industry figures signed a pledge not to cooperate with Israeli film institutions, Paramount issued a statement denounced the widespread boycott.
“At Paramount, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, promote mutual understanding and maintain moments, ideas and events that shape the world we share. This is our creative mission.”
“We disagree with recent efforts to boycott Israeli filmmakers. Silence of individual creative artists based on their nationality does not allow us to better understand or advance the causes of peace,” the statement continued. “The global entertainment industry needs to encourage artists to tell their stories and share ideas with audiences around the world. We need more engagement and communication.
Paramount is the first major studio to talk about this issue.
The pledge issued Monday by organized film workers in Palestinian saw industry figures of over 3,900 people, including winners from Oscar, Bafta, Emmy and Palme d’Or. The pledge statement states that examples of accomplice include “whitewashing or justification of genocide and apartheid, and/or partnership with the government.”
The original list of 1,200 signers included filmmakers such as actors such as Yorgos Lantimos, Ava Duvernai, Asif Kapadia, Emma Seligman, Boots Reilly, Adam McKay, Joshua Oppenheimer, Olivia Colman, Ayo Edebili, Ruffalo a Eyya a Ab Ab Suillai, Raffa et al e e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et al e et Gladstone, Hannah Einbinder, Fallet Garcia Vernal, Melissa Barrera, Emma Stone.
By Wednesday, the letter had more than 3,900 signatories: Nicola Cofran, Andrew Garfield, Harris Dickinson, Bowen Yang, Guy Pierce, Jonathan Glazer, Evon Moss Bach, Fisher Stevens, Abby Jacobson, Eric Andre, Elliot Page and Pay Capadia. Rooney Mara has recently signed on as executive producer of the Venice award-winning Gaza drama The Voice of Hind Rajab. The couple walked the red carpet at the film festival premiere, sporting badges in support of Palestine.
