Israeli Director Links Film to Anti-Israel Sentiment at Venice Festival

Israeli documentary filmmaker Avi Mograbi presented his new short film "Helion" (Wild Asparagus) at the Venice Film Festival. The screening was part of a ceremony honoring actress Ellen Burstyn with a lifetime achievement award. The film, commissioned by the Venice Biennale, uses archival footage from Mograbi and his longtime Arab friend Ali. It chronicles their search for the remains of the Arab village of Saffuriya, destroyed in 1948 and now the site of the Israeli national park Tsipori.

Instead of ruins, the friends find wild asparagus and engage in discussions about the conflict, the Nakba, and life in Israel. Mograbi, who moved to Portugal several years ago, stated that while he feels despair over the political situation, it fuels his creative work. He emphasized the importance of listening to each other, noting his 40-year friendship with Ali.

At festival events, Mograbi wore a "Stop Genocide" pin. He declared that audience applause is less important to him than tangible political change in Israel. Mograbi expressed willingness to return to Israel only when full equality for the Arab population is achieved. He reported no hostility towards him at the festival, adding that he finds existing global anti-Israel sentiment "absolutely justified" given the Israeli government's actions.