Film by Israeli directors sets record at Venice festival
The documentary film "Naza" (NAZA) by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shor received a 25-minute standing ovation after its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, setting a record for major film festivals. The film is based on interviews with 24 Israeli soldiers and reveals data about targeted strikes on civilians in the Gaza Strip.
The documentary film "Naza" (NAZA) by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shor set a record at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a 25-minute standing ovation after its world premiere in the competition program. This is the longest ovation in the history of major film festivals, surpassing the achievements of the films "The Voice of Hind Rajab" and "Pan's Labyrinth." The film is based on interviews with 24 Israeli officers and soldiers and reveals data about targeted strikes on civilians in the Gaza Strip, including the use of artificial intelligence, surveillance, and a point system for target selection. The premiere was attended by producer James Wilson and executive producer Jonathan Glazer, who worked on the Oscar-winning film "The Zone of Interest." After the screening, audience members unfurled Palestinian flags. Festival director Alberto Barbera joined the applause and congratulated the filmmakers. The film is a continuation of Abraham and Shor's work following the film "No Other Land," which won an Oscar in 2025. The title "Naza" is a Hebrew acronym used by the military to denote the permissible number of civilian casualties when planning a strike.