Selma Blair Announces Documentary on Antisemitism, Filmed in Israel

Actress Selma Blair has announced she is creating a new documentary film titled "Hineni" (Here I Am), which will focus on antisemitism. Blair shared the news at an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) event in New York, stating that the film is a response to her own experience of feeling "erased" after facing criticism for past Islamophobic remarks.

"Two years ago, I learned what it feels like to be erased, and I decided the opposite of being erased is to create something. So I am making a film," Blair said. She explained that while her previous documentary, "Introducing, Selma Blair," focused on her personal health journey with multiple sclerosis, this new project will be about "my people."

The documentary will be filmed in Israel, which Blair stated is not an abstract idea for Jewish people. The film will also include conversations with individuals who disagree with her, aiming to keep the disagreements within the film itself. "You can't change someone's mind if you only talk to those who already agree with you," she explained.

Blair's past controversial remarks, made after the October 7th Hamas attack, targeted Democratic Congresswomen Cori Bush and Rashida Tlaib for their stance on sanctions against those involved in the attack. Blair had written, "Thank you very much. Expel these thugs who support terrorism. Islam has destroyed Muslim countries and then they come here and destroy minds. They know they are liars. Twisted justifications. May they meet their fate." She later apologized for the remarks, stating, "It hurt people, and I truly apologized immediately. No conditions, no small print."

Following the controversy, Blair described how her professional life was significantly impacted. She stated that brands she worked with disappeared overnight, years of collaborations were frozen, her representation agency vanished, and her lawyer, publicist, social media manager, and even her son's godmother, her best friend, disappeared. She noted that while a few industry friends quietly supported her, most vanished, including her manager of 30 years, who was also Jewish. Blair mentioned that her phone simply stopped ringing.