Pro-Palestine Protesters Disrupt Venice Film Festival Premiere

Pro-Palestinian activists made a significant impact at the Venice Film Festival on September 5, 2023, as they marched to protest during the premiere of Guillermo del Toro‘s adaptation of Frankenstein. Approximately 5,000 demonstrators gathered, chanting the contentious slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a phrase criticized for its perceived implications regarding Israel’s existence.

The protesters carried various banners, including one that stated “Stop Starving Gaza,” as they approached the festival venue. In response, Italian police established a cordon to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the red carpet area where numerous celebrities were attending.

The Venice Film Festival, which commenced on August 27 and runs until September 6, has attracted a host of A-list stars, including Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Adam Sandler, and Kim Kardashian. Notably absent was Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who had been invited to attend the festival for her movie In The Hand of Dante, alongside co-star Gerard Butler.

As the protests unfolded, the noise from the red carpet and the presence of paparazzi largely drowned out the activists’ voices. Anticipating such demonstrations, festival organizers had implemented extensive security measures, including body scanners and bag checks, to ensure the safety of attendees.

Artists 4 Palestine, a pressure group, had previously urged festival organizers to withdraw invitations to both Gadot and Butler, as well as any artist who they believe supports actions they describe as genocide. Despite this, festival director Alberto Barbero confirmed that Gadot’s invitation would not be revoked, stating, “We are an Italian cultural institution, a place of openness and debate that does not censor anybody.”

Barbero expressed his deep concern regarding the ongoing violence in Gaza, particularly the civilian casualties, which he described as the “collateral damage of a war nobody has been able to terminate yet.” He emphasized that the festival would continue to welcome all artists who wish to participate, regardless of their political affiliations.

In response to the protests, Isabella De Monte, a member of the Forza Italia party, spoke out, highlighting the importance of dialogue and diversity of ideas in cultural discussions. She criticized the protesters, suggesting that their actions stemmed from a narrow view of Gadot’s identity as an Israeli.

The conflict between Hamas and Israel has polarized the Hollywood film community, with varying responses from prominent figures. Notably, Brad Pitt is serving as an executive producer for the film The Voice of Hind Rajab, which is also set to premiere at the festival. This film focuses on the tragic story of a young Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, showcasing the complexities of the ongoing conflict.

As the Venice Film Festival continues, Frankenstein competes for prestigious awards alongside other notable films, including Yorgos Lanthimos’s Bugonia, Kathryn Bigelow’s A House of Dynamite, and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice. The winners will be announced by the jury led by Alexander Payne on September 6. Netflix plans to release Frankenstein in theatres on October 17, followed by a streaming release on November 7.