Festival defends Israeli sponsorship, again

ZIONIST Federation of Australia president Philip Chester has spoken out against an attempt by the makers of the film Son of Babylon to boycott the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) because of Israeli sponsorship of the event.

In an email to festival director Richard Moore, the film’s director Mohamed Al-Daradji and producers Isabelle Stead and Atia Al-Daradji demanded the film, a Palestinian co-production, not be show in protest against Israel’s “illegal crimes against humanity”.

The email was sent on the day Son of Babylon was due to be screened. The film was shown as scheduled.

“The request by the makers was completely inappropriate,” Chester told The AJN. “[The boycott] is part of a worldwide attempt to isolate Israel, to boycott Israeli products, creativity, programs and culture. We’re seeing it everywhere and that’s the real worry.”

In 2009, British filmmaker Ken Loach spearheaded an anti-Israel boycott of MIFF by pulling out his film Looking for Eric at the eleventh hour, prompting Moore to publicly declare the festival a “Loach-free zone”.

In his reply to the email sent by the makers of Son of Babylon, Moore was again steadfast.

“You have your political opinions, which clearly I don’t share,” Moore wrote. “To request a withdrawal of the film on the day of the screening is simply not acceptable and shows a lack of respect for our organisation. We have worked hard to bring your film here and your selection meant that other films could not be included in the program. We are not able to replace the film at short notice and we will screen it today.”

Chester praised Moore, whose wife and children are Jewish and lived in Israel for several years, for refusing to yield.

“Richard Moore has been very courageous in saying, ‘this is inappropriate. You don’t have to like every film we show, but that’s what art and festivals are all about, don’t try and censor me’.”

Following the screening, the film’s producers again contacted Moore requesting the proceeds from ticket sales be donated to a charity of their choice. The request was denied.

ADAM KAMIEN