The Oscars: A Night of Surprises and Political Statements
The Oscars ceremony held on Sunday was a blend of the familiar glamour and unexpected twists. Amidst the usual glitz, warm embraces, and surface-level smiles, the night took a remarkable turn. The low-budget film Anora, which tells the poignant story of a sex worker who marries a Russian oligarch, clinched the prestigious Best Picture award. Additionally, the film’s young star, Mikey Madison, was honored with the Best Actress in a Leading Role award.
In another significant moment, No Other Land, a documentary that sheds light on settler violence and the devastating demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, co-directed by Palestinian Basel Adra and Israeli Yuval Abraham, won the Oscar for Best Documentary. Their acceptance speeches were notably political, which is quite rare for an event like the Oscars. Basel Adra passionately called for “serious action to stop the injustice and halt the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.” Meanwhile, Yuval Abraham echoed the sentiment, stating, “the atrocious destruction of Gaza and its people must end.” He went on to criticize the Trump administration for its role in hindering progress and condemned Hamas for retaining Israeli hostages. He concluded with a powerful message: “Why can’t you see that we are intertwined, that my people can be truly safe if Basel’s people are truly free and safe?”
As the United States increasingly leans towards authoritarianism, many prominent figures seem to be adapting to this unsettling reality. However, these two courageous men chose to speak out, fully aware that their remarks would likely unsettle many in the star-studded Oscars audience.
Reflections on Democracy and the Palestinian Cause
While we may not be living under an elected autocracy like the United States, we must avoid falling into a comfortable complacency. The Palestinian cause has laid bare the illusions and contradictions within our own democracy. This reflection was prompted by a significant event last Thursday when an open letter was delivered to the BBC’s chair and top executives. This letter, signed by 500 influential figures from media and the arts, including prominent personalities like Gary Lineker, BBC presenter Anita Rani, actors Juliet Stevenson and Riz Ahmed, musician Nitin Sawhney, journalist Gary Younge, and many others, raised concerns over the removal of the documentary Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone from the BBC’s iPlayer. This documentary, which gives voice to Palestinian children, faced backlash after objections from some notable British Jews, particularly Danny Cohen, the former director of television at the BBC.
Critics pointed out that the main narrator, a 14-year-old named Abdullah, is the son of a Hamas agricultural minister, questioning the lack of oversight on the independent company that produced the film. While this raises valid concerns, the outright removal of Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone feels unjust.
- Our letter defended the film’s importance in offering a rare glimpse into the lived experiences of Palestinian children.
- We asserted that children “should not be held responsible for the actions of adults,” and that weaponizing familial connections to undermine a child’s testimony is both unethical and dangerous.
In a subsequent letter to The Guardian, Peter Grimsdale, a former commissioning editor at the BBC and Channel 4, echoed our call for the documentary to be reinstated on iPlayer with “appropriate changes,” allowing everyone to view and judge it for themselves. The BBC has since issued an apology and acknowledged “serious flaws” in the documentary’s production. However, such admissions rarely lead to resolution.
In 2020, the Board of Deputies of British Jews raised significant objections to an “unjustifiably offensive” report on News at Ten regarding the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The report, delivered by the BBC’s respected international correspondent Orla Guerin, included stark truths about Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, which some deemed forbidden.
Moving forward, on 31 March, Seven Jewish Children: A Film for Gaza, inspired by a controversial play by Caryl Churchill, now 86, will be showcased at the Prince Charles Theatre in London’s Leicester Square. Churchill, who had her European Drama Prize lifetime achievement award revoked in 2022, continues to stand firm in her beliefs. Proceeds from the event will support Medical Aid for Palestine. We hope to see you there.
