Home · Entertainment · Sep 3 archive
Calls for Palestinian Flag at Venice Film Festival Continue Despite Rejection
Developing
In Short: The Venice4Palestine collective has renewed its calls for the Palestinian flag to be flown at the Venice Film Festival, citing the lack of official state recognition by Italy.
The Venice4Palestine collective has reiterated its calls for the Palestinian flag to be flown at the Venice Film Festival, following Artistic Director Alberto Barbera's statement that such a move was impossible because Palestine is not officially recognized as a state by Italy.
Barbera told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that the Biennale could only fly the flags of states recognized by Italy, and that Palestine does not yet meet this criterion despite ongoing efforts for statehood.
However, Barbera noted that the Biennale's stance was 'extremely evident' in its film lineup, particularly in the selection of Kaouther Ben Hania's 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' the previous year.
The collective cited recent attacks against actors like Mark Ruffalo and past criticisms of Susan Sarandon and Vanessa Redgrave for their public support of Palestinians, urging festivals and cultural institutions to take a more proactive stance on political issues.
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…
Sources
- Deadlinelink