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Academy Apologizes to Palestinian Oscar Winner Hamdan Ballal After Detention Incident
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued an apology on Friday following criticism from hundreds of its members regarding its initial response to the detention of Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal. Ballal, co-director of the documentary No Other Land, was recently detained by Israeli settlers, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for the Academy to take a stronger stance.
Academy Faces Backlash for Initial Response
The organization expressed regret for not “directly acknowledging Mr. Ballal and the film by name” in its initial statement. This came after nearly 700 voting members, including prominent actors and directors, signed an open letter criticizing the Academy’s perceived lack of support for the No Other Land director. The signatories included notable figures such as Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, Olivia Colman, and Joaquin Phoenix, among others.
Hollywood Heavyweights Sign Letter of Rebuke
The letter, signed by over 700 Academy members, voiced strong disapproval of the Academy’s initial reaction. Key points from the letter included:
- Criticism of the Academy for failing to defend a filmmaker shortly after awarding their film.
- Highlighting the immense difficulty and competition involved in winning an Oscar, emphasizing the prestige of the award.
- Stating that No Other Land‘s Oscar win was achieved without large-scale, expensive campaigns typically associated with awards season.
- Describing the targeting of Ballal as an attack on filmmakers who “dare to bear witness and tell inconvenient truths.”
Academy Issues Formal Apology
Following the significant backlash, the Academy released a subsequent statement on Friday, explicitly naming Hamdan Ballal and offering an apology. The statement conveyed:
- Regret for not directly acknowledging Mr. Ballal and No Other Land in their first response.
- A sincere apology to Mr. Ballal and all artists who felt unsupported by the initial statement.
- A clear condemnation of violence of this nature “anywhere in the world.”
- Reaffirmation of their stance against the “suppression of free speech under any circumstances.”
Details of Hamdan Ballal’s Detention
According to Ballal’s co-director, Yuval Abraham, the Palestinian filmmaker was allegedly assaulted by settlers before being taken into custody by Israeli soldiers while in an ambulance. He was released the following day. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have refuted this account. The IDF stated that several individuals, including Palestinians and an Israeli, were detained on suspicion of “rock hurling” at security forces.
No Other Land: Oscar-Winning Documentary
No Other Land, which received the Oscar for Best Documentary at the 97th Academy Awards, explores the conflict surrounding Masafer Yatta, a Palestinian community comprising roughly 20 villages. The film focuses on the relationship between Ballal and Abraham amidst the backdrop of the ongoing issue.