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Controversial NAZA Documentary Set for U.S. Theatrical Release
NAZA is a documentary made by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor.
It investigates how Israel’s military conducts attacks in Gaza.
The film includes interviews with 24 anonymous Israeli intelligence and military personnel.
Some interviewees say the military allowed large numbers of civilians to be killed while attacking Hamas targets.
One source described an attack where up to 500 Palestinian civilians were allegedly considered acceptable losses.
Some sources also claim artificial intelligence was used to help choose targets in crowded neighborhoods.
The Israel Defense Forces says these claims are false and that the interviewees lacked the necessary information.
The documentary received a long standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.
It will begin showing in the United States in New York on September 30 before expanding to other cities.
NAZA will premiere in North America at the New York Film Festival on September 26.
The documentary opens at New York City’s IFC on September 30, expands to Los Angeles and other markets on October 9, and receives a nationwide rollout afterward.
The film features interviews with 24 anonymous Israeli intelligence and military personnel who allege that civilian casualties in Gaza were treated as acceptable during attacks on Hamas targets.
Some sources allege Israel used artificial intelligence to select targets in densely populated residential areas, claims the Israel Defense Forces categorically rejects.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked the film and threatened legislation that could revoke the citizenship of people accused of defaming Israeli soldiers.
- Who
- Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor made NAZA with a team that interviewed 24 anonymous Israeli intelligence and military personnel; the Israel Defense Forces and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have criticized it.
- What
- NAZA is an investigative documentary alleging that Israeli military systems allowed or calculated significant Palestinian civilian casualties during attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza.
- Where
- The North American premiere is at the New York Film Festival, with the U.S. theatrical release beginning at IFC in New York City and later expanding to Los Angeles and other markets.
- When
- The film has its North American premiere on September 26, opens in New York on September 30, expands on October 9, and is scheduled for a nationwide rollout in the following weeks.
- Why
- The filmmakers say they made the documentary to examine systems they believe contributed to the mass killing of Palestinian civilians and to explore revelations reported in earlier investigative journalism.
Filmmakers and Documentary Sources
Israeli Government and Military Response
Civilian casualty policies
Filmmakers and Documentary Sources
The documentary’s sources allege that the Israel Defense Forces set acceptable civilian-death numbers during attacks on Hamas targets, including one claimed allowance of up to 500 Palestinian civilians in a single attack.
Israeli Government and Military Response
The Israel Defense Forces rejects the allegations and says the sources lacked access to the relevant intelligence and military information needed to support their claims.
Targeting technology
Filmmakers and Documentary Sources
Some interviewees allege that Israel used artificial intelligence to select targets in heavily populated residential areas.
Israeli Government and Military Response
The Israel Defense Forces says this assertion is false.
Political impact and release
Filmmakers and Documentary Sources
The filmmakers say the film should reach audiences quickly because of the urgency of its subject matter and urge people to confront what they describe as institutional silence.
Israeli Government and Military Response
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attacked the film and threatened legislation that could revoke the citizenship of people accused of defaming Israeli soldiers.
Key facts
- Filmmakers
- Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor
- Interviewees
- 24 anonymous Israeli intelligence and military officers and soldiers
- North American premiere
- New York Film Festival, September 26
- U.S. opening
- IFC in New York City, September 30
- Expansion
- Los Angeles and other key markets on October 9
- Israeli military response
- The Israel Defense Forces categorically rejects the allegations
- Executive producer
- Oscar-winning filmmaker Jonathan Glazer
Quotes
Israel Defense Forces
The Israeli military, responding to allegations presented in the documentary
“The IDF categorically rejects these allegations.”
deadline.com
Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor
The Israeli filmmakers and directors of NAZA
“We made this film out of a sense of obligation to use our position as Israeli filmmakers and journalists to examine the systems behind the mass killing of Palestinian civilians for which our country is responsible.”
deadline.com
Sources
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