Israeli Documentary 'NAZA' Wins Venice Film Festival Jury Prize

The Israeli documentary "NAZA" by Oscar-winning directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Shore has won the Jury Prize at the Venice International Film Festival. The film, whose title derives from the military acronym for "collateral damage," reportedly examines the mechanisms behind mass killings in Gaza, based on testimonies from 24 IDF soldiers and officers. The documentary had already garnered significant attention at its premiere on Thursday, where it received a historic 25-minute standing ovation from the audience.

The film's content is based on investigations previously published by Local Call, +972 Magazine, and The Guardian. During his acceptance speech, Abraham addressed criticism the film has faced in Israel, stating, "It is not easy to stand here thinking about the Israeli politicians and journalists who attack the film and dismiss it without even seeing it." He emphasized that the film aims to present the reality behind the fighting and urged both Israeli and international audiences to watch it to understand its detailed facts.

The festival's top prize, the Golden Lion, was awarded to the Danish drama "Woman Unknown," directed by May el-Toukhy. The film tells the story of a governess hiding a relationship with a German soldier during World War II. Matilda Arsle, the film's star, won Best Actress for her role. In her speech, el-Toukhy thanked jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal for raising awareness about the lack of equal opportunities for women in the film industry.

Best Actor was awarded to 72-year-old John Malkovich for his performance as an eccentric CIA agent in "Wild Horse Nine." Malkovich, unable to attend due to filming in Canada, expressed his gratitude via video message. This year's jury included international filmmakers and academics, such as Kawther Ben Hania, Johnnie To, and Daniel Blumberg.