Posted on 08/22/2006 5:48:38 AM PDT by white trash redneck
TEL AVIV (EJP)--- A group of Israeli filmmakers were dropped from the schedule of the Documentary Film Festival in the French town of Lussas last week with their films replaced by movies by Palestinian and Lebanese filmmakers.
The directors received a letter from the directors of the festival explaining that they were dropped because of the latest Middle East crisis.
In what appears to be the latest in a long list of cultural boycotts against Israeli artists, the letter informed the Israelis that their films would be replaced.
Lack of detachment
According to Ynet News, the letter, signed by the festival’s director, artistic director, and program director, claimed that “it is difficult to look at films from the countries involved in the current war with the same degree of detachment.”
As a result, the letter said, they have decided “to change the program, and not to screen all the Israeli films that were originally scheduled.”
They plan to organize a discussion of the political aspect of the conflict, and “to create a program of Lebanese and Palestinian films that will show our opposition to the war.”
The letter did not discuss why if countries "involved in the conflict" are not allowed in the program, the Israelis were being replaced with Lebanese and Palestinian made films.
Angry Israelis
One Israeli filmmaker, Yoram Honig, director of First Lesson in Peace, expressed his anger. “It’s unfortunate and makes the festival ridiculous. During the war in Algeria did anyone consider not screening films by Goddard or Renoir? On the contrary, the world of documentary film brings issues to the surface, and it’s an important platform for discussion.
"My film speaks about co-existence and shows the difficulty (of Arabs and Jews) living together in Neveh Shalom. Other films in the program present various facets of Israeli society, and that is the goal of the platform. This looks to me like capitulation by the festival’s directors to Arab pressure, which I think is a black mark against a festival of this kind,” Honig told Ynet News.
This boycott of Israeli films is just the latest of a series of unofficial boycotts that have targeted Israeli artists. Earlier this year a European Dance magazine would not accept an article about an Israeli dance troupe because of their "opposition the occupation."
There are also many petitions circulating around Europe calling for a total boycott of Israeli cultural artists and institutions. One such petition calls "all artists and filmmakers of good conscience around the world to cancel all exhibitions and other cultural events" to ostracize Israel.
The second is captured by Mr. Honig's comment "My film speaks about co-existence and shows the difficulty (of Arabs and Jews) living together in Neveh Shalom." What is sad is that he thinks that if he just makes nice with the poor palesimians and their antisemitic supporters, they will make nice with him. It's sad that he's been disillusioned, but he should understand that he might as well make films showing the true barbarity of the arabs, since the antisemites will NEVER accept him, even if he does make films about "co-existence."
fyi
Bump
What the French are racists?
No kidding...
I hope the French are really proud of themselves.
These leftists are so clueless they really don't understand why they are being rejected by their fellow artists. "But we are against the occupation! We love the Palestinians! We are just like you!"
It's like the elites in the Berlin coffee houses of the '30's: "Oh, Hitler isn't talking about us. He means those kikes in Poland. We hate them too."
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
bumpmark. Interesting. Wonder what US Hollywood will say, and whether indie groups in the US will follow suit? I suspect Soros has something to do with this--he has his fingers deep into independent filmmaking all over the US, in the film schools of universities--I'd think it'd be the same in Europe.
Without knowing something more specific about the film, it's hard to say it suggests that the answer is for Israelis to "play nice." It is equally possible to surmise that the film illustrates the difficulty of coexistence with lunatics wallowing in a state of victimhood who are taught from the cradle that it is the fault of the Jews. I just can't really tell from his description.
Generally speaking, just when I think the French can't find a way to be more offensive, they do.
I've heard this phrase often. "Occupation" really seems to incite, and outrage a great many people around the world......unless, of course, its hezbollah occupying Lebanon.
To hell with France.
( No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)
Wonder what the Spielbergs of the Hollywood set will do?
I don't know, but I hope this is on their radar. It's strange, but for me, this is the straw that breaks my personal camel's back regarding France.
I'm thinking of going out and getting an Israeli flag to fly alongside my American one. The treatment of Israel in our own MSM, and by seemingly the world at large is making me sick.
"Wonder what the Spielbergs of the Hollywood set will do?"
You really have to ask this?
They will commend the French on their courage. That's what Liberals do. Talk about courage and moral victories.
There you go :)
I might get my Israeli flag in a smaller size than the US one, though.
I'm also tempted to get a small Cuban one, in sympathy with the expat community around here, between the two, I ought to really tick off the liberals in the neigborhood.
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