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Calls for Palestinian Flag at Venice Film Festival Continue Despite Artistic Director's Rejection
Confirmed
In Short: The Venice4Palestine collective is pushing for the Palestinian flag to be flown at the Venice Film Festival, despite the Artistic Director's claim that it's not possible due to Palestine's lack of official state recognition by Italy.
The Venice4Palestine collective has intensified its calls for the Palestinian flag to be flown at the Venice Film Festival, following the Artistic Director Alberto Barbera's statement that such a move is impossible because Palestine is not officially recognized as a state by Italy.
In an interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Barbera explained that the Biennale can only fly the flags of states recognized by Italy, stating, 'The Palestinian flag won’t be there because the Biennale is only allowed to fly the flags of states recognized by Italy. Unfortunately, Palestine is not yet a state, even if we’d like it be and we’re fighting for that.
However, Barbera acknowledged the Biennale's stance through its film selections, noting, 'There can’t be any doubt about the Biennale’s stance that the best way for a cultural institution to make a declaration of political responsibility in relation to such a complex issue is through the choice of films and the proposals that the films make.
The collective cited recent attacks against actors like Mark Ruffalo and past criticisms of Susan Sarandon and Vanessa Redgrave over their public support for Palestinians, emphasizing the need for cultural institutions to take a stand rather than hiding behind protocols.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- The Venice4Palestine collective has reiterated calls for the Palestinian flag to fly at the Venice Film Festival after its Artistic Director Alberto Barbera told Italian media the request could not be met because…
- Barbera told Italian newspaper La Repubblica in a filmed interview on Wednesday, as the festival kicked off, that such a move was impossible because Palestine was not officially recognized as a state by Italy.
- “The Palestinian flag won’t be there because the Biennale is only allowed to fly the flags of states recognized by Italy. Unfortunately, Palestine is not yet a state, even if we’d like it be and we’re fighting for…
- Barbera noted, however, that the Biennale and festival’s attitude was “extremely evident” in its lineup of films, pointing to the selection of Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab last year.
- “There can’t be any doubt about the Biennale’s stance that the best way for a cultural institution to make a declaration of political responsibility in relation to such a complex issue is through the choice of films…
- Citing recent the attacks against Ruffalo as well as past criticism of Susan Sarandon and Vanessa Redgrave over their public stance in support of Palestinians, the collective reiterated its calls for festivals and…