Amos Gitai Premieres New Film 'Why to Jericho' at Venice Film Festival
Israeli director Amos Gitai presented his latest film 'Why to Jericho' out of competition at the 83rd Venice Film Festival. The screening at Sala Grande sparked both standing ovations and political demonstrations.
The 83rd Venice Film Festival hosted the world premiere of Why to Jericho, the latest film by acclaimed Israeli director Amos Gitai, screened out of competition as part of the Venice Open section. The screening inside the prestigious Sala Grande concluded with a lengthy standing ovation, accompanied by political chants and the waving of a Palestinian flag.
A Cinematic Elegy on the West Bank
Why to Jericho focuses on the Bedouins of the Jahalin tribe, blending narrative fiction with documentary archives. The film features historical footage, including an interview with the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin discussing the necessity of making peace with adversaries, alongside scenes from Gitai's previous works, notably the assassination scene from Rabin, the Last Day.
Gitai described the essence of his new project:
"My film is a form of poetry, or rather an elegy, on the current situation in the territories specifically, and in Israel as a whole."
The Power of Culture Over Politics
During the press conference, Gitai addressed the limitations and power of art in times of conflict, invoking Pablo Picasso's masterpiece Guernica:
"In the direct battle between Picasso and Franco, Franco won and ruled for nearly four decades. But in the eyes of history, Picasso won. That painting remains in the collective memory as the ultimate symbol of that cursed era. This is the power of culture."
Gitai expressed deep concern over the current political climate but emphasized his opposition to international boycotts, calling dialogue the most critical tool for resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict.
