More than 450 Jewish stars and Hollywood experts condemn zone of interest Screenwriter/Director Jonathan Glazer's 2024 Oscars Speech, Open Letter variety on monday.
In controversial remarks on stage to accept Best International Feature Film, director Glaser linked his Holocaust film to the Gaza crisis, saying, “Our film shows how dehumanization reaches its worst.'' .This film shapes all of our past and present. Now we speak out against being Jewish and the Holocaust hijacked by an occupation that led to the conflict of so many innocent people. I stand here as a man, and I stand here as a victim of this dehumanization, whether it's the victims of October, whether it's the victims of Israel's October 7th, or the victims of the ongoing attack on Gaza. All of us, how can we resist?”
The open letter, titled “Statement from a Jewish Hollywood Professional,” began circulating on March 13, just days after the Oscar ceremony. It states, in part, that “we are Jewish people for the purpose of drawing a moral equivalence between the Nazi regime, which seeks to exterminate a race, and the State of Israel, which seeks to avoid its own extermination.'' We refute that the company has been hijacked.”
He added: “Every civilian death in Gaza is tragic. Israel is not targeting civilians. It is targeting Hamas. The moment Hamas releases its hostages and surrenders, this heartbreaking war will end.” moment. This has been true since the October 7th Hamas attack.'' Words like “occupation'' are used to describe the indigenous Jewish people defending their homeland, which dates back thousands of years and is recognized as a nation by the United Nations. To use it is to distort history. ”
The letter also states that Glaser's speech “gives credence to the modern day blood libel that increases anti-Jewish hatred around the world, in the United States, and in Hollywood. “It only emphasizes the need for a Jewish state.” No country did so during the Holocaust depicted in Mr. Glaser's film, but Israel is a place that always draws us in. ”
Actors Debra Messing, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Julianna Margulies, Brett Gelman, director Eli Roth, screenwriter Amy Sherman-Palladino, producer Amy Pascal, and many other creators, Executives, Hollywood professionals as well as some of the Hollywood stars who have signed on. Letters aside, the public's reaction to Glaser's comments has been divided, with criticism and some support from those calling for a ceasefire.
Glaser did not comment when contacted by EW. Representatives for Messing, Lee, Margulies, Ross, Sherman-Palladino and Pascal did not immediately respond to EW's requests for comment.
of zone of interest The filmmaker's acceptance speech also received praise from other stars and creators, including Mark Ruffalo, Melissa Barrera, Boots Riley, Jesse Peretz, and director Asif Kapadia, many of whom have previously He had signed an open letter to President Joe Biden calling for immediate de-escalation of tensions. and a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.
Nominated for 5 Academy Awards and won 2 times. zone of interest The film depicts the family life of Rudolf Hess, the commandant at Auschwitz, and stars Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller. Glazer appeared on the Oscar stage with producers James Wilson and Len Blavatnik to accept the honor, although it was later revealed that the latter had not consulted Glazer about the remarks beforehand. “He did not clear the speech,” a spokesman for Mr. Blavatnik said. Hollywood Reporter. “But he is incredibly proud of the film and the praise it has received, and doesn't want to distract from the film's important themes.”
one more zone of interest's executive producer Danny Cohen previously said he “fundamentally” disagreed with the director's comments. “It is very important to recognize that this incident has upset a lot of people, and many people are upset and angry about this incident, and I honestly understand that anger. “I'm doing it,” Cohen said on the show. unclean Podcast.
Watch Glaser's acceptance speech at the Oscars ceremony above.
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