The documentary film NAZA, directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, sparked an intense international and domestic controversy following its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, where it earned a record-breaking 24.5-minute standing ovation, according to reporting by Variety and Euronews. The 80-minute documentary details Israeli military tactics in Gaza, including the use of artificial intelligence systems to target individuals in civilian spaces such as apartment buildings. According to its official synopsis cited by Euronews, the film examines the systems behind the calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians, drawing upon interviews with 24 anonymous Israeli military intelligence officers and soldiers.
Venice Film Festival Reception and Festival Records
Premiering as the sole documentary in the main competition at the Venice International Film Festival, NAZA broke the previous festival record for a standing ovation, besting the 22-minute ovation earned last year by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab, according to Variety. Executive produced by Oscar-winning director Jonathan Glazer and produced by James Wilson alongside the British newspaper The Guardian, the film was shot in secrecy on the rooftops of Tel Aviv during the ongoing war. According to Euronews, the title refers to “Nezek Agavi,” a military acronym used by Israeli forces to denote expected collateral damage or the number of civilians anticipated to be killed in an airstrike.
Israeli Military and Government Backlash
The film faced immediate condemnation within Israel following media coverage of its festival debut. According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the film “shocking” in a video released by his Likud Party, stating it is “intolerable” that Israel must fight antisemitic incitement globally and domestically. Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir, the chief of general staff for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), instructed military lawyers to explore legal options against the filmmakers, as reported by CBC. The IDF rejected the film’s allegations, stating that the reliance on anonymous sources prevents any verification of direct operational knowledge. The military specifically labeled a trailer claim—in which a speaker mentions approval for an airstrike anticipated to kill 500 people—as completely false.
Filmmaker Defense and Production Background
Producers at The Guardian stated that the newspaper “will robustly defend” the filmmakers and their team from censorship or attacks. Speaking at a Venice press conference reported by CBC and Euronews, co-director Yuval Abraham explained that he and Szor wanted to use their access within Israeli society to examine military systems during the conflict. Abraham previously co-directed the Academy Award-winning documentary No Other Land with Palestinian filmmakers Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal, which focused on West Bank settler violence. Israeli filmmaker Uri Rosenwaks launched an online petition supporting NAZA and calling for freedom of expression, while public figures like former Gaza hostage Eliya Cohen criticized the directors publicly on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the documentary NAZA about?
According to its official synopsis, NAZA details Israeli military intelligence tactics and AI targeting systems used in Gaza, featuring anonymous interviews with 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel regarding civilian casualties.
Who directed NAZA?
The film was co-directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who previously co-directed the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land.
Where was the film produced and premiered?
NAZA was produced by The Guardian and James Wilson, with Jonathan Glazer serving as executive producer. It premiered in competition at the Venice International Film Festival.
What was the reaction to the film’s premiere?
The film received a record-breaking 24.5-minute standing ovation at Venice, alongside severe backlash, political condemnation, and threats of legal action from Israeli officials.
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