At the first press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, the entire jury led by French star and jury president Juliette Binoche, refused to answer journalists’ questions about the negative sentiment of the Gaza war.
When asked about an open letter written by more than 350 filmmakers and industry members, including Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Javier Bardem, Binoche condemned Cannes’ condemnation of lack of support, she was confused by her reaction to why it was not signed: “You may understand it later.” She refused to say it again, thankfully, French Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani intervened. But on Friday, the news came type Binoche added her name to the letter Eddington Celebrities Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal etc.
The letter refers to the Middle East conflict that has caused more than 50,000 Gazans to date. When Hamas militant groups launched an armed invasion at the Israel Music Festival on October 7, 2023, tensions escalated over decades, robbing nearly 1,200 lives.
From a formal perspective, the festival decided to keep quiet about the matter. But that didn't stop the Marché Du film from welcoming the Palestinian Film Academy (PFI) on the international village on the other side of the palace. Public programmer Mohanad Yaqubi tells Hollywood Reporter Hubs are not celebrations.
He began, “We are not celebrating Cannes.” He continued, “There is really nothing to celebrate…really, how do we define the narrative surrounding Palestinian films through the filmmakers themselves, the story of the Palestinian? We feel responsible, and it’s hard.” “Some of our members actually have families in Gaza now, and they are in Cannes. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s not an industry for the rich. We have to adapt the industry to us and meet our needs for oppressed and underrepresented people (groups).
This year's Cannes exhibition is the organization's first "most ambitious" to date for the first time in 2018. #herethereandforeverthe program spans displays, screenings, producers talk and greetings. These include spotlights about Palestinian producers, and receptions with Arab and Tarzan Nasser Gaza.
In addition, PFI is From the ground zeroGaza Film Initiative initiated by film producer Rashid Masharawi. The final product is an anthology, consisting of eight short documentaries and two feature-length films from 22 Palestinian directors, covering air strikes on the Gaza Strip.
PFI’s PFI’s championship at the Cannes Film Festival this year is the official launch of the PFI Film Foundation – with founding partners IDFA Bertha Fund, International Media Support and the Arab Arts and Culture Fund. “This is one of our dream projects,” Yaqubi said. “Basically, the purpose of the first three rounds is to fund at least four to six projects in different formats, giving them at least a foundation so they can get started.”
Yaqubi added that Palestinian photographer and artist Fatma Hassouna also added that the team also held exhibitions in the pavilion. Sepideh Farsi's main character in Cannes Film Festival documentary Put your soul in your handsHassouna was killed in April by Israel on strike in her family home in Gaza.
When asked about the festival’s support, Yaqubi replied, “There is a great separation between the Cannes Institute and the people.” “We recognize these differences, the Institute – the board members – are following the general geopolitical French position…the people working here are very understanding and live together.” He continued: “Obviously, without all the solidarity we have obtained from the festival, we are not here, it’s important to note that this is not something that happened since the last war. We have been working together since 2016.”
PFI is mainly funded through donations. Although the projects they show in Marché are not only specifically targeting the Palestinian cause, they refined them with the broader political and social consequences of putting Palestinian voices on the main international stage in the film.
"We have four delegations of producers who are participating in the producer network. They also have a very interesting slate. I encourage everyone to watch their slate," Yaqubi said. "These are upcoming Palestinian films and narratives that need to be supported."
"We want to be here every year. It's important to be there, and staying away doesn't change. We have to dip our toes in cold water and change things."