Culture Minister of Israel threatens to withdraw funding from the "Israeli Oscars" following a triumphant win by a film showcasing a Palestinian child's life.
In a dramatic turn of events at the Israeli Academy of Film and Television's Ophir Awards, also known as the 'Israeli Oscars,' the Best Picture award was given to the film 'The Sea.' This thought-provoking movie, directed by Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham, tells the story of a young boy's road trip from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank to the coastal city of Tel Aviv.
The film's representation of Israel at the Oscars in the category of best foreign film has sparked controversy, with the Israeli Ministry of Culture announcing its intention to withdraw state funding for the Ophir Awards next year, citing the film's negative portrayal of IDF soldiers and the State of Israel.
The filmmakers used their acceptance speeches to highlight the effects of Israel's military campaigns in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Adra and Abraham called for an end to the 'terrible destruction of Gaza' and the release of Israeli hostages. This stance has drawn strong criticism from the Israeli government, with Culture Minister Miki Zohar describing the Ophir Awards ceremony and the award for 'The Sea' as a 'spit in the face of Israeli citizens.'
The film's producer, Agbariya, stated that the film is about every child's right to live in peace. Khalifa Natour, another actor in 'The Sea,' won the Best Supporting Actor award, while Muhammad Ghazawi, a 13-year-old actor in the film, became the youngest ever recipient of the Best Actor award at the Ophir Awards.
The Israeli Academy defended the selection process of the Ophir Awards, stating it is conducted by academy members, creators, filmmakers, and cultural figures. However, over 1,000 actors and directors have vowed not to work with Israeli film institutions, including British screenwriter David Farr, a descendant of Holocaust survivors, who signed a pledge not to work with Israeli film institutions due to his distress and anger over the actions of the Israeli state.
Legal experts are questioning the legality of defunding the academy, with Oded Feller, the legal adviser of the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, stating that Zohar has no authority to withhold funds. The current head of the Israeli Academy of Film and Television is not specified in the available search results.
Last year, the joint Israeli-Palestinian documentary 'No Other Land' won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. 'The Sea' is now slated to represent Israel at the Oscars in the category of best foreign film, promising to continue the conversation about complex and painful realities in the region.
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