Cannes stars break silence and accuse “genocide” in Gaza

On the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival, more than 380 world cinema names signed a manifesto accusing the “silence” of the cultural sector in the face of “genocide” in Gaza. The text was published on Tuesday (13) by the French newspaper Libérationthe same day Robert de Niro receives the Honorary Gold Palm.

“We artists and actors/actresses of the cultural area cannot remain silent while a genocide in Gaza is held,” says the letter, signed by personalities such as Pedro Almodóvar, Susan Sarandon, Richard Gere, Alfonso Cuarón, Javier Bardem and Costa-Gavras.

The initiative marks a politicized opening of the 78th edition of the festival, which will also have a day dedicated to Ukraine. The manifesto pays tribute to Fatima Hassouna, a Palestinian photojournalist during Israeli bombing in April. She is the protagonist of the documentary “Put Your Soul On You Hand and Walk” (“Put your soul in hand and walk” in Portuguese), directed by Iranian Sepideh Farsi, selected for the parallel show.

“What is our profession, if not to learn from history, from engaged movies, if we are not present to protect the oppressed voices?” Signators ask. “Cinema must carry their messages,” they conclude.

Cannes jury president Juliette Binoche was even mentioned among the supporters of the text, but her name is not in the final version published.

The manifesto seeks to press the world of culture to break indifference. “We ask for action on behalf of all those people who die in indifference,” they declare.

__
with agencies