Saturday’s Venice Film Festival was the focus of the biggest protest ever seen in a major cinema event surrounding Israel’s ongoing military attacks on Gaza.
Thousands, young and old, composed of festival guests and members of the public, denounced Israel and took part in a major march in March in search of the end of genocide. In the sea of Palestinian flags, there was a chant of “Free Palestine.” Despite the serious nature of the message, there was a carnival vibe, with stilted protesters waving flags of “peace” and waving musical explosions from speakers, flares and foghorns.
The protests were organized with the support of numerous groups, associations and organizations, but aimed to ensure that the festival has a visible public attitude and is used as a platform in the war in Gaza.
“The Venice Film Festival will not be an event isolated from reality, but rather a space to condemn the genocide being carried out by Israel, an accomplice of the Western government, and provide concrete support to the Palestinian people,” the organizers said in a statement in advance.
As a result, visibility could not be ruled out. The main roads in Lido were closed by police as the march slowly headed towards the main festival area. The noise is much wider.
“In Gaza, hospitals, schools and refugee camps are being bombed. Civilians are being deprived of food and water. Journalists and doctors are being killed. The statement added.
“Italia and Europe are conspiring to this wildness through arms supply, economic agreements and diplomatic cover. It’s time to stop the massacre. Stop genocide, stop sale of arms, stop Western accomplices.”
As Israel’s civilians continue to grow, international condemnation of Israel’s war against Gaza has made the Venice Film Festival – with fewer political events in general compared to other A-list festivals – one of the loudest.
Earlier in the week, protesters waving the Palestinian flag and raised a flag that reads “Stop Free Palestine” before the festival’s headquarters, the Palazzo del Cinema.
Prior to the festival, Venice organizers were urged by hundreds of international filmmakers and artists to take a “clear and clear position” condemning the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing of Palestine throughout the course of Palestine by the Israeli government and the army. They also recognized celebrities who showed public support for Israel, such as “In Dante’s Hands” stars Gal Gadot and Gerard Butler. It was later confirmed that Gadot had not participated in the fest.
In response to this letter, the Biennale stated that the Venice Film Festival “continued throughout their history as a place of open discussion and sensitivity to all the most pressing issues facing society and the world. This evidence is, first and foremost, the work being presented (at the festival).”
Venice’s Alberto Barbera was asked at a press conference for the Ju Court about the festival’s stance on the war in Gaza. “We were asked to decline an invitation to an artist. We don’t want to do that. They are here. They are here. The children who are the victims are the collateral damages of the war that no one could have done yet.”
Meanwhile, Venice Jue President Alexander Payne has chosen not to provide his perspective on the issue diplomatically. “I’m here to judge and speak the film. I’m sure my political views agree with many of you.”
