Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham’s documentary “NAZA” has made headlines for its depiction of Israel’s alleged use of AI-assisted military technology to target and eliminate Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The film received an unprecedented 24.5-minute standing ovation during its debut at the Venice Film Festival. Videos shared on social media captured the emotional reactions of the Israeli filmmakers as the audience showed their appreciation.
According to reports, this standing ovation surpassed previous records set at renowned film festivals, including the reception for “The Voice of Hind Rajab” and Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth.” The filmmakers, alongside director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha, witnessed the enthusiastic response from the audience. Some attendees even displayed Palestinian and Lebanese flags as a symbolic gesture.
Filmed discreetly over three years in Tel Aviv, “NAZA” features interviews with Israeli military personnel whose identities remain hidden. The interviews shed light on the alleged use of surveillance systems and AI intelligence to target Hamas operatives, potentially putting civilian lives at risk. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have refuted these claims, stating that decisions to strike targets are made by humans, emphasizing their efforts to minimize harm to civilians.
The film’s title, derived from an Israeli military acronym for civilian casualties, serves as a companion piece to the filmmakers’ previous award-winning documentary “No Other Land.” Executive produced by Jonathan Glazer, “NAZA” has sparked controversy, drawing attention to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The filmmakers stress the systemic nature of the issues highlighted in the film, emphasizing the importance of sharing insider perspectives on the situation in Gaza.