Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham’s documentary “NAZA” made its debut at the Venice Film Festival with a 24.5-minute standing ovation, setting a new record at the festival. The film sheds light on Israel’s use of AI technology in military operations targeting Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The filmmakers, visibly moved, were captured in a video as the audience showed their appreciation for the film based on the accounts of 24 Israeli military insiders.
This remarkable reception surpasses previous ovation records at prestigious film festivals like Venice and Cannes. Notable figures such as director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha were present during the screening. Attendees also displayed Palestinian and Lebanese flags as a symbol of solidarity.
“NAZA” was meticulously shot over three years in Tel Aviv, featuring interviews with Israeli military personnel whose identities remain undisclosed. The film alleges the use of surveillance systems and AI intelligence to target Hamas operatives without regard for civilian presence, leading to civilian casualties. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have refuted these claims, emphasizing human decision-making in military actions to minimize harm to civilians.
The documentary, named after a military acronym for civilian casualties, is a companion piece to the filmmakers’ previous award-winning work. Executive produced by Jonathan Glazer, “NAZA” has sparked discussions around the conflict in Gaza and the ethical implications of military technologies. The filmmakers stress the ongoing nature of the issue, highlighting the systemic nature of the conflict and the need for awareness and action.