DuVernay, Colman, Bardem Lead Open Letter Criticizing Oscars' Response to 'No Other Land' Co-Director Attack
Washington D.C., [USA], March 29 (ANI): A number of Hollywood actors and Academy members have criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) regarding their reaction to the recent attack and arrest of the Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal According to The Hollywood Reporter.
Approximately 600 Oscar voters, such as Ava DuVernay, Olivia Colman, and Javier Bardem, have penned an open letter voicing their criticism over the Academy’s insufficient backing.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the revised letter from Friday stated: “It is unjustifiable for an institution to honor a movie with an accolade at the beginning of March but subsequently refuse to support its creators only a couple of months afterward.”
This response follows an announcement made by AMPAS heads Bill Kramer and Janet Yang on Wednesday, where they indicated that Ballal's assault encompassed “a variety of distinct perspectives.”
Celebrities who also signed the letter include Mark Ruffalo, Academy Award winner Jonathan Glazer, Emma Thompson, Tony Kushner, Richard Gere, Andrea Riseborough, and Todd Haynes.
Hamdan Ballal , who co-directed the Academy Award-winning documentary, ' No Other Land 'was attacked and detained by the Israeli military earlier this week.'
The event took place in the West Bank community of Susiya, which is also Ballal’s birthplace, amid clashes with settlers. As stated by co-director Yuval Abraham, Ballal sustained wounds to his head and abdomen, was restrained with zip ties and had a blindfold placed over him, before being let go the next day, according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter.
The correspondence charged that the Academy had neglected to back a filmmaker who brought attention to challenging realities through their work.
The assault on Ballal is more than just an attack on a single filmmaker—it’s an assault on everyone willing to speak out and reveal uncomfortable realities. We remain vigilant regarding this film crew. Securing an Oscar has placed their lives in greater peril, and we won’t hesitate to express ourselves candidly when the well-being of our fellow creatives is endangered,” the open letter read.
' No Other Land follows a Palestinian family residing in the West Bank whose house is demolished by the Israeli government, leading to potential displacement. (ANI)