Swiss Film Festival Cancels Israeli Film Amid Boycott Threats
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
The Everybody’s Perfect queer film festival in Geneva, Switzerland, canceled the screening of the Israeli film "Tell Me Everything" due to boycott threats from pro-Palestinian groups. Organizers asked director Moshe Rosenthal for his stance on the Israeli government and the war in Gaza before making the decision. The film's producers stated that films do not represent governments and criticized the exclusion of artists. The film, "Tell Me Everything," is Israel's submission for the upcoming Academy Awards.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The Everybody’s Perfect queer film festival in Geneva canceled the Israeli film "Tell Me Everything" due to boycott threats.
- Pro-Palestinian organizations, including BDS, initiated the boycott threats against the festival.
- Festival organizers asked director Moshe Rosenthal for his political stance before canceling the film.
- The film's producers argued that films and filmmakers do not represent government policies.
- "Tell Me Everything" is Israel's official submission for the Best International Feature Film Oscar.
- The festival cited a desire to avoid controversy and ensure the smooth running of other screenings.
The Everybody’s Perfect queer film festival in Geneva, Switzerland, has removed the Israeli film "Tell Me Everything" (original title "Independence") from its program following boycott threats from pro-Palestinian organizations. The festival, scheduled to open days after the decision, cited the desire to avoid controversy and ensure the smooth running of other screenings.
Threats of a boycott were initiated by groups including the Palestine, Filmer C’est Exister festival and the BDS movement's Geneva branch, along with a student group from the University of Geneva. Festival communications manager Charlotte Spector stated that the threats were "very significant" and involved repeated calls for a boycott.
Prior to the cancellation, festival organizers reportedly asked director Moshe Rosenthal to clarify his stance on the Israeli government and the war in Gaza. Rosenthal and the Israeli production company Green Productions responded that filmmakers do not represent governments and that many Israelis oppose the current government's policies. Despite this statement, the festival proceeded with the cancellation.
Festival artistic director Sylvie Cachin stated the decision was not about the film itself but about preventing a contentious debate so close to the festival's opening. Spector echoed this, calling it a "difficult" decision made with "heavy hearts" to foster unity.
The producers of "Tell Me Everything" criticized the decision, emphasizing that films are not government representatives and questioning whether similar statements would be demanded from Iranian or American filmmakers. They expressed a desire for an international film community that allows for diverse perspectives rather than excluding artists based on their origin.
"Tell Me Everything," which won top honors at the recent Ophir Awards and was selected to represent Israel in the Oscar race for Best International Feature Film, tells the story of a 12-year-old boy uncovering a secret about his father in the 1980s amidst the AIDS crisis. The article notes that cultural boycotts against Israel have become increasingly visible as the war in Gaza continues.
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