A new documentary directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor about mass Palestinian civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip drew a 25-minute standing ovation during its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, according to an AFP reporter on the ground. Audiences at the festival continuously applauded the directing pair for nearly half an hour following the screening of the feature.
Festival Reception and Prior Records
The reception surpassed last year’s record of 23 minutes of applause set by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s documentary drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which focused on the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl by Israeli forces, according to reporting from the festival. Abraham and Szor’s film, titled “NAZA,” promised new disclosures regarding the bombardment of the Gaza Strip based directly on the testimonies of Israeli soldiers. Creators stated in August that the project, filmed at night from the rooftops of Tel Aviv, details the systems behind calculated mass civilian killings executed by Israel.
Production Background and Context
The documentary was produced by the United Kingdom duo Jim Wilson and Jonathan Glazer—the creative team behind the Auschwitz-focused Oscar winner “The Zone of Interest”—alongside the British newspaper “The Guardian.” According to “The Guardian,” the title originates from an Israeli military acronym utilized by intelligence as a euphemism to designate the expected number of civilian casualties resulting from a specific airstrike. The ongoing military campaign in Gaza has resulted in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries since October 2023, based on figures from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. Previously, Abraham and Szor gained international recognition alongside Palestinian collaborators Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal for their 2025 Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” which addressed settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
Did you know? The Venice Film Festival’s main competition program featured multiple films addressing the conflict in Gaza this year, including the premiere of “Citizen Osama” about a local photojournalist.
Shifting Public Opinion and Industry Impact
These cinematic releases and increasingly sharp condemnations from prominent figures in the entertainment industry highlight a broad shift in Western public opinion against the war and Israeli state policy, according to festival observers. American actress Susan Sarandon stated during a press conference that the narrative surrounding Gaza and financial support from the United States has completely shifted. Sarandon reported facing career blacklisting in Hollywood after her agency terminated her representation in late 2023 following remarks made at a pro-Palestinian rally, for which she later issued an apology.
Official Stances and Press Restrictions
The Israeli government consistently denies deliberately targeting civilians in Gaza, asserting that Hamas fighters embed themselves among the roughly two million residents of the densely populated and blockaded enclave. Meanwhile, international journalists remain barred from entering or reporting independently from the territory unless participating in tightly controlled military embeds organized by Israeli forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film “NAZA” about?
Directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the documentary details the systems behind calculated mass civilian casualties in Gaza using testimonies from Israeli soldiers.
Who produced the documentary?
The project was produced by UK filmmakers Jim Wilson and Jonathan Glazer alongside “The Guardian,” following their previous work on “The Zone of Interest.”
How long was the standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival?
The premiere received a 25-minute standing ovation from the audience, breaking the previous festival record set the prior year.
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