Le symbole était trop beau … Venise invitait dans le même palmarès un acteur palestinien et un réalisateur Israelien, chacun jouant dans un film qui visait à remettre en cause les comportements qui ont mené à des guerres, que ce soit celle entre Israel et Palestine, ou bien celles du Liban. Et voici ce qu’on apprend … et auquel on s’associe bien évidemment …
The National Union of Italian Film Critics and the Venice International Film Critics’ Week side with director Ziad Doueiri
The National Union of Italian Film Critics (SNCCI) firmly condemns the intimidations and what happened to film director Ziad Doueiri, whose work The Insult has just received the Best Actor Award (for Kamel El Basha) at the74th Venice International Film Festival. Doueiri, who also made West Beirut, was questioned, and held by police upon his arrival in Lebanon. Hours later the charges were dropped and his passport given back to him. All this mere hours before his film is released in Lebanese cinemas.
This is an unacceptable act of intimidation. An intolerable abuse of power.
The National Union of Italian Film Critics and the Venice International Critics’ Week side with Ziad Doueiri and all those who made the realization of The Insult possible, iterating their unequivocal “No!” against all forms of censorship and intimidation towards film-makers, cinema, and art.
The National Union of Italian Film Critics states that the freedom of expression and speech cannot be violated.
No to censorship.
No to menaces.
No to fear.
(Pourtant le film the insult prend des précautions et démarre par rappeler qu’il s’agit d’un film personnel et non un film sensé reprendre l’opinion du pouvoir en cours, pourtant le film est très pacifique dans son intention)