Venice Gives 25-Minute Ovation for Film on Israel's Mass Killing of Gaza Civilians
The documentary uses testimony from Israeli intelligence and military personnel and drew a 25-minute ovation, the longest ever recorded at Venice.
- On Thursday, directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor premiered their documentary NAZA at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, where it received a record-breaking 25-minute standing ovation.
- Filmed in secret over three years in Tel Aviv, the 80-minute documentary features interviews with 24 Israeli military intelligence officers and soldiers discussing AI-assisted targeting systems used during the Gaza war.
- Derived from a military acronym for expected civilian casualties, NAZA surpassed the 24-minute standing ovation record set last year by The Voice of Hind Rajab, becoming Venice's most applauded film.
- During the ovation, audience members unfurled Palestinian and Lebanese flags as executive producer Jonathan Glazer embraced the directors on stage, with Abraham calling for Western governments to use sanctions supporting human rights.
- With the Golden Lion winner announcement set for Saturday, NAZA remains a serious contender before screenings at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival later this month.
28 Articles
28 Articles
»No Other Land« caused tumult at the Berlinale 2024. At the Venice Film Festival, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor now received record-breaking applause: In »NAZA«, Israeli intelligence workers talk about the war in Gaza.
Venice gives 25-minute ovation for film on Israel's mass killing of Gaza civilians
Mass civilian deaths were routinely built into Israeli military targeting decisions in Gaza, according to a Venice Film Festival documentary unveiled on Thursday that challenges official accounts of the war. "NAZA", directed by Israeli journalists Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, received a 25-minute standing ovation at its premiere, by far the longest of the festival so far this year.
The documentary “NAZA” by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor received a 24-and-a-half-minute standing ovation after its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on Thursday. According to Variety, it was the longest standing ovation in the festival’s history. The previous record was set in 2025 by Tunisian director Kawther Ben Haniya’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which received a standing ovation of about 22 minutes. Haniya’…
The documentary 'NAZA' premiered at the Venice Film Festival and was greeted with a 25-minute standing ovation. In the film, Israelis involved in military operations in Gaza reveal what goes on behind the Israeli scenes. Film journalist Lieven Trio was there: "This is an incredibly painful film."
Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor's documentary on the civilian victims of the war in Gaza surpasses the previous record of the Exhibition, established in 2025 by “The Voice of Hind Rajab”. Among the audience was Ghali, who filmed and shared the endless standing ovation: “Everyone should see it.” READ THE ARTICLE
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
