Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham premiered their documentary, “NAZA,” at the Venice Film Festival, focusing on Israel’s use of AI technology in military operations against Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The film received a record-breaking standing ovation lasting 24.5 minutes, with audience members capturing the emotional moment on social media.
The documentary is based on testimonies from 24 Israeli military insiders, shedding light on the alleged targeting of civilians using advanced surveillance systems and AI intelligence. Shot clandestinely over three years in Tel Aviv, the film features obscured interviews with military personnel discussing the identification and bombing of Hamas targets, often resulting in civilian casualties.
While the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have denied the allegations, stating that decisions to strike are made solely by humans and efforts are made to minimize harm to civilians, the filmmakers stand by their portrayal of the systemic issues within the military operations.
Titled after an Israeli military acronym for civilian casualties, “NAZA” serves as a companion piece to the filmmakers’ previous award-winning documentary, “No Other Land.” The film has sparked controversy and discussions surrounding the ongoing conflict in the region, with Abraham emphasizing the importance of showcasing the realities portrayed by insider testimonies.
The documentary has also garnered attention due to its executive producer, Jonathan Glazer, who previously faced backlash for his statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict. With ongoing violence and casualties in Gaza, the filmmakers aim to shed light on the persistent issues and systemic nature of the conflict through their documentary.
