” — who is considered one of the top two Palestinian filmmakers alongside Elia Suleiman — is equally emotional when addressing the situation in Gaza.
Amos Gitai, the revered Israeli filmmaker of “Kippur” and “Kadosh,” whose latest film, “Laila in Haifa,” competed at Venice, says the region is once again being “dragged into bloody ritual” and “ceremonial violence and killing” that is being used by Netanyahu’s government and Palestine’s Hamas to serve their respective agendas.
Gitai’s “Laila in Haifa” starred Palestinian and Israeli actors, including the injured Abd Elhadi, and filmed in the Palestinian area of Haifa with a mixed crew. “I called Maisa and spoke to her,” says the director. “We need to reinforce human relationships.
But “False Flag” producer Eitan Mansuri says it’s become increasingly difficult to get an Israeli film financed, “unless you’re a famous director.” “The situation is chaotic in every aspect,” says Schory. “This country went through four elections within the last two years, and the culture sector has been without a budget for more than two years because there is no parliament.”