Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham’s documentary “NAZA” premiered at the Venice Film Festival, showcasing Israel’s alleged use of AI-powered military technology to target and eliminate Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The film garnered a remarkable 24.5-minute standing ovation, setting a new record at the festival. Videos shared on social media captured the emotional reactions of the filmmakers as the audience applauded fervently, with Abraham visibly moved to tears.
According to Deadline, the extended ovation surpassed previous records, including the reception for “The Voice of Hind Rajab” and Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha of “The Voice of Hind Rajab” were present during the screening, along with audience members who displayed Palestinian and Lebanese flags as the lights came on, as seen in a video circulating on social media.
“NAZA” was filmed clandestinely in Tel Aviv over three years, featuring interviews with Israeli military personnel whose identities were concealed. The documentary alleges the use of surveillance systems and AI intelligence to target Hamas operatives, regardless of the presence of civilians, including women and children, in the targeted locations.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) issued a statement rejecting the film’s claims, criticizing the reliance on anonymous testimonies that cannot be verified. The IDF emphasized that human operators make decisions on strikes, aiming to minimize civilian casualties during military operations. The film’s title, derived from a military acronym for civilian casualties, serves as a companion piece to Abraham and Szor’s previous award-winning documentary, “No Other Land.”
Executive produced by Jonathan Glazer, “NAZA” has attracted attention and controversy, with Glazer previously sparking backlash for remarks made during his Oscar acceptance speech in 2024. The film sheds light on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, highlighting the devastating toll on civilians in Gaza. Abraham emphasized that the documentary exposes a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents, showcasing firsthand accounts to underscore the gravity of the situation.