Pro-Palestine protesters rally near Oscars ceremony
Director Jonathan Glazer condemns Israel’s war on Gaza in Oscars speech
Director Jonathan Glazer has addressed Israel’s war on Gaza in his acceptance speech at the 2024 Academy Awards. The British director’s Holocaust drama, The Zone of Interest, was awarded Best International Feature Film at the ceremony in Los Angeles, California on Sunday.
“Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people,” he said during his speech. “Whether the victims of October 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza. All the victims of this dehumanisation. How do we resist?” he added as the audience cheered.
Director Jonathan Glazer poses alongside producer James Wilson with the Oscar for Best International Feature Film
Jewish filmmaker seeks end to ‘dehumanisation’ of victims in Gaza, Israel in Oscar speech
British director Jonathan Glazer has delivered a speech condemning Israel’s aggression on the Gaza Strip after winning best foreign feature film at the Academy Awards for The Zone of Interest.
“Our film shows where dehumanisation leads at its worst. … We stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people, whether the victims of October 7 in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza,” he said.
The film depicts the life of the family of the Nazi commandant of Auschwitz living outside the walls of the death camp during World War II.
#TheZoneofInterest wins best international feature film at the 2024 #Oscars pic.twitter.com/G3xEejQakT
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 11, 2024
Why did Hollywood stars wear red pin badges at the Oscars?
Celebrities, including musicians Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, Poor Things star Mark Ruffalo, and comedian Ramy Youssef, wore red pins at the 96th Academy Awards to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The red pins were distributed by Artists4Ceasefire, a group of celebrities and entertainment industry members who collectively signed a letter late in October asking United States President Joe Biden to demand a ceasefire as well as the safe release of captives in Gaza. The pin design shows a red glossy circle with a hand and a black heart.
“The pin symbolises collective support for an immediate and permanent cease-fire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza,” Artists4Ceasefire said in a press release.
“Compassion must prevail,” it added. The more than 380 signatories include Cate Blanchett, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez and Bradley Cooper.
“We are asking for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza,” actor and comedian Ramy Youssef told US media. “We are asking for justice and peace for the Palestinian people and also you know, a really universal message, which is let’s just stop killing the children,” he added.
Prior to Sunday’s ceremony, the red pins were seen at the Grammys and the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards in February. During that time, Ruffalo was also spotted wearing the pin. “We’re not going to bomb our way to peace, and all we’re saying is, what’s wrong with giving a ceasefire a chance?” Ruffalo said on the DGA red carpet.
Separately, during the Golden Globe Awards in January, some stars were spotted wearing a yellow ribbon that was used to show support for the captives being held by Hamas.
Sunrise Coigney and US actor Mark Ruffalo attend the 96th Annual Academy Awards
Not very effective if you need to explain it. Sounds more like 'too afraid to say something' but I'll wear a small pin.
