An Israeli documentary featuring anonymous intelligence officers detailing AI-programmed massacres in Gaza drew nearly 452,000 euros and 61,000 attendees on Monday, September 28, 2026, according to box office data provider Cinetel. The film outpaced Hollywood blockbusters including a special franchise re-release and a Brad Pitt feature during a targeted three-day theatrical release window in Italy.
Documentary Outpaces Hollywood Blockbusters at Italian Box Office
The documentary directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor made Italian box office history on Monday, September 28, 2026. Data from Cinetel shows the film brought in nearly 452,000 euros from roughly 61,000 ticket sales in a single day.
That daily total more than tripled the earnings of competing major Hollywood titles. The special re-release Avengers: Endgame Extra pulled in just under 180,000 euros from fewer than 20,000 spectators. Meanwhile, Brad Pitt’s film Heart of the beast placed fourth with 95,000 euros and 13,000 attendees.
Distribution Strategy and Political Appeal in Italian Cinemas
The film’s commercial success stems from a calculated rollout by its Italian distributor, IWonder Pictures. The company concentrated the theatrical run of the Venice Film Festival Special Jury Prize winner into a strict three-day window from September 28 to September 30, 2026.
Distributors like Nexo Digital frequently use this event-style release model. Lucky Red has also applied similar strategies for niche art-house titles or digital restorations. In this instance, the release targeted audiences seeking political meaning and weight in cinema rather than conventional entertainment.
Comparison With Previous Gaza-Focused Releases
This release follows a distribution precedent set by IWonder Pictures a year prior. On September 25, 2025, the distributor released La voce di Hind Rajab, a film chronicling the final hours of a young girl trapped under fire in a family car in Gaza.
That 2025 release coincided with intense pro-Palestinian protests, street demonstrations, and the Global Sumud Flotilla interception in the Mediterranean Sea. While La voce di Hind Rajab pursued a traditional theatrical rollout over several weeks and accumulated roughly 1 million and 600mila euros, the documentary surpassed initial pacing expectations by pulling in nearly 452,000 euros in a single day.
Intelligence Officers Detail AI Targeting Procedures Onscreen
Co-produced by Jonathan Glazer, who won an Academy Award for The Zone of Interest, the documentary features roughly 20 members of the Israeli intelligence apparatus. Filmed at night on Tel Aviv rooftops with their faces obscured, the officers describe standard procedures for programming algorithms to target residents in the Gaza Strip.
The interviews reveal that artificial intelligence software programs automated the planning of military strikes against buildings. According to the film’s subjects, civilian casualties—referred to as “Naza”—were calculated and accepted as routine collateral damage in attacks aimed at eliminating Hamas operatives.
The documentary is currently screening across 515 cinemas in Italy, with exhibition schedules extending beyond the initial three-day event window.
Opening day earnings and production details for the documentary
How much did the documentary earn on its opening day?
According to Cinetel data, the documentary grossed nearly 452,000 euros with approximately 61,000 admissions on Monday, September 28, 2026.
Who directed and produced the film?
The film was directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, and co-produced by Academy Award winner Jonathan Glazer.
How many screens are showing the documentary in Italy?
The film opened across 515 cinema screens in Italy, with screenings continuing past the initial September 28–30 release window.