Israel's culture minister calls a Palestinian-Israeli film's Oscar a 'sad moment'
Briefly

The documentary 'No Other Land,' which won the 2025 Academy Award for best documentary, portrays the struggles of Palestinian activists against home demolitions in the West Bank. While the Israeli culture minister Miki Zohar condemned the film as a negative representation of Israel, Palestinian residents viewed the award as an uplifting symbol of their ongoing fight. Amidst war concerns, the Israeli government is adjusting funding for film projects, focusing on commercial success and reducing support for independent and politically sensitive films. This has sparked criticism from industry leaders advocating for free speech in filmmaking.
Israel's culture minister called the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land 'a sad moment for the world of cinema', criticizing its portrayal of Israel.
The award for No Other Land was seen by Palestinian residents as a morale boost, depicting their struggle against home demolitions in the West Bank.
Culture Minister Miki Zohar claimed the film promotes narratives that distort Israel’s image, labeling its win as 'sabotage' in the context of current conflicts.
Roni Aboulafia from the Israeli Documentary Forum criticized the minister's remarks as shameful, emphasizing the filmmaking community's fight for free speech in Israel.
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