Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham premiered their documentary “NAZA” at the Venice Film Festival, showcasing Israel’s alleged use of AI technology in military operations targeting Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The film received a remarkable 24.5-minute standing ovation, setting a new record at the festival. Video clips shared on social media captured the emotional reaction of the Israeli filmmakers, with Abraham visibly moved by the audience’s response.
According to reports, the extended ovation surpassed previous records, including the reception for “The Voice of Hind Rajab” last year and Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” at Cannes in 2006. Director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha were present at the screening, along with audience members who displayed Palestinian and Lebanese flags during the event.
Filmed covertly in Tel Aviv over three years, “NAZA” features interviews with Israeli military personnel whose identities are concealed. The documentary alleges the use of surveillance and AI intelligence to target Hamas operatives, sometimes resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have denied the claims, stating that decisions to strike targets are made by humans to minimize harm to civilians.
The film, named after an Israeli military acronym for civilian casualties, serves as a follow-up to Szor and Abraham’s award-winning documentary “No Other Land.” Executive produced by Jonathan Glazer, “NAZA” has sparked controversy, with Glazer facing criticism for his previous remarks on the Israel-Hamas conflict. The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to claim civilian lives, as highlighted by Abraham in interviews following the film’s premiere.
The documentary sheds light on the systemic nature of the conflict, portraying insider perspectives on the ongoing crisis. Abraham emphasized that the film reveals the deliberate nature of the situation, challenging misconceptions and calling for greater awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.