Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham’s documentary “NAZA” made a powerful impact at its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a remarkable 24.5-minute ovation. The film sheds light on Israel’s alleged use of AI-assisted military technologies to target and eliminate Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Video footage shared on social media captured the Israeli filmmakers’ emotional reactions as the audience enthusiastically applauded the film, which features testimonies from 24 Israeli military insiders.
According to reports, the ovation for “NAZA” set a new record at the Venice Film Festival, surpassing previous lengthy standing ovations for acclaimed films like “The Voice of Hind Rajab” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha, associated with “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” were among those present during the screening.
Filmed clandestinely in Tel Aviv over a three-year period, “NAZA” presents interviews with Israeli military personnel whose identities remain undisclosed. The interviews reveal the alleged use of surveillance systems and AI intelligence to identify and target Hamas operatives, with little regard for the presence of innocent civilians, including women and children, in the targeted areas.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have strongly refuted the film’s allegations, emphasizing that decisions to conduct strikes are solely made by human operators and asserting their commitment to minimizing civilian casualties. “NAZA,” named after a 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 due to its critical portrayal of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The film’s creators aim to raise awareness about the ongoing violence and systemic issues within the conflict, highlighting the devastating impact on Palestinian civilians. Despite the IDF’s denials, the filmmakers stress the importance of sharing the insider perspectives presented in “NAZA” to shed light on the realities of the situation.