Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham’s documentary “NAZA” has made headlines with a 24.5-minute standing ovation at its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The film delves into Israel’s alleged use of AI-driven military systems for targeting and eliminating Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Video footage from the event shows the filmmakers, visibly moved, as the audience erupted in applause. The documentary is based on the testimonies of 24 Israeli military insiders.
According to reports, the ovation for “NAZA” at the Venice Film Festival is the longest ever recorded, surpassing previous records set by acclaimed films like “The Voice of Hind Rajab” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Notable figures like director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha were present during the screening.
The film, shot clandestinely in Tel Aviv over three years, features interviews with Israeli military personnel whose identities remain anonymous. These interviews shed light on the alleged use of surveillance systems and AI intelligence to identify targets in Gaza, leading to airstrikes on civilian homes, irrespective of whether innocent families were present, including women and children.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have vehemently denied the allegations presented in “NAZA,” stating that decisions to strike are solely made by humans to minimize civilian harm. The film’s title, “NAZA,” is derived from an IDF acronym for civilian casualties and serves as a follow-up to the filmmakers’ award-winning documentary “No Other Land.”
Executive produced by Jonathan Glazer, “NAZA” has drawn attention for its provocative subject matter and intense portrayal of the ongoing conflict. The film exposes the grim realities faced by civilians in Gaza and has sparked discussions on the ethical implications of modern warfare practices.