Edward Marchesi The 83rd Venice Film Festival is proving to be a stage of intense emotion and debate. Among the films in competition, Naza , directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, is sparking strong reactions and controversy. The documentary, shot at night on the rooftops of Tel Aviv, reveals chilling details about the Israeli intelligence systems used during the attacks on Gaza.
Naza's shocking testimonies
Naza, named after the military acronym used to indicate the collateral damage expected during airstrikes, collects testimonies from twenty-five members of Israeli intelligence. These officers, interviewed anonymously, describe how the attacks are planned, taking into account the deaths of civilians, including women and children.
Their confessions reveal a system that, thanks to artificial intelligence, identifies targets and calculates the number of acceptable civilian casualties .
The dehumanization of the victims
One of the most chilling aspects of the documentary is the description of how the algorithm even uses Palestinian children's words, such as “Daddy is coming home,” to determine targets.
The soldiers interviewed describe hearing desperate screams after the attacks, describing a remote war that sometimes feels like a video game. Some officers express pride in their work, while others express remorse and question their humanity.
The context of the Venice Film Festival
The Festival's artistic director, Alberto Barbera, defended the decision to include Naza in the competition for the Golden Lion, emphasizing the importance of addressing such significant issues. "I had no hesitation in doing so," Barbera stated. "Not to admit it would have been unfair, an act of cowardice." There was no shortage of controversy, especially from the Israeli army , which called the testimonies anonymous and false.
Other films in competition
In addition to Naza, the Venice Film Festival featured other Italian and international films. Vanessa Scalera presented The Fire You Carry Inside, a film that chronicles the complicated relationship between a mother and her son. Adriano Giannini stars in Return to Buenos Aires , a film that touches on painful themes related to Argentina's military dictatorship. Anna Foglietta made her directorial debut with A Story , a film that explores family dynamics.
The 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival is proving to be an event rich in emotion and reflection, with Naza emerging as one of the most discussed and impactful films.