Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham’s documentary, “NAZA,” shed light on Israel’s alleged utilization of AI-driven military technology to target and eliminate Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The film made a groundbreaking debut at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a record 24.5-minute standing ovation. Video footage captured the filmmakers’ emotional reaction, with Abraham seemingly moved to tears as the audience applauded. This achievement surpasses previous records, such as the 24-minute ovation for “The Voice of Hind Rajab” and the 22-minute reception for Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth.”
Among the attendees were “The Voice of Hind Rajab” director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha. Audience members displayed Palestinian and Lebanese flags at the event’s conclusion, as seen in social media posts. “NAZA” was clandestinely filmed in Tel Aviv over three years, featuring interviews with Israeli military personnel whose identities remain anonymous. The documentary alleges the use of surveillance systems and AI intelligence to target Hamas locations, regardless of civilian presence, including women and children.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) issued a statement refuting the film’s claims, highlighting its reliance on unverifiable anonymous sources. The IDF emphasized that human operators make strike decisions independently and strive to minimize civilian casualties. “NAZA,” named after an Israeli military acronym for civilian casualties, complements the filmmakers’ previous award-winning documentary, “No Other Land.”
Executive produced by Jonathan Glazer, “NAZA” has stirred controversy due to Glazer’s past statements condemning the Israel-Hamas conflict. The film’s release comes amidst ongoing violence in Gaza, where civilian casualties persist. Abraham emphasized the documentary’s portrayal of systemic issues and insider testimonies, urging viewers to recognize the ongoing nature of the conflict.