Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham’s documentary “NAZA” premiered at the Venice Film Festival, showcasing Israel’s alleged use of AI-driven military tactics in Gaza. The film garnered a remarkable 24.5-minute standing ovation, setting a new record at the festival. Video footage captured the emotional reaction of the filmmakers as the audience expressed their support for the film based on testimonies from 24 Israeli military personnel.
This extended ovation surpassed previous records set by other acclaimed films like “The Voice of Hind Rajab” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.” The atmosphere in the room was intense, with some attendees unfurling Palestinian and Lebanese flags during the screening. Shot discreetly over three years in Tel Aviv, “NAZA” features interviews with Israeli military figures, their identities concealed, discussing the alleged use of surveillance and AI technologies to target Hamas members, regardless of civilian presence in the targeted areas.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) responded to the film’s claims, rejecting them outright and emphasizing their commitment to minimizing civilian harm during military operations. The IDF dismissed the use of anonymous testimonies, stating that strike decisions are solely made by humans and not AI systems. “NAZA,” named after a military acronym for civilian casualties, is a follow-up to Abraham and Szor’s award-winning documentary “No Other Land.”
Executive produced by Jonathan Glazer, the film has drawn attention for its controversial subject matter. Abraham highlighted the ongoing nature of the conflict, emphasizing the systemic nature of the issues portrayed in the film. The documentary sheds light on the complexities of the Israel-Hamas conflict, revealing the human impact and the continuous cycle of violence in the region.