Israeli Directors Unveil Controversial Gaza Documentary at Venice Film Festival

At the Venice Film Festival, Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor introduced their new documentary “NAZA,” the sole documentary feature in this year’s competition. The film, produced by The Guardian and JW Films and executive-produced by Jonathan Glazer, presents altered interviews with 24 Israeli military intelligence officers and soldiers who describe surveillance and remote strikes that resulted in civilian casualties in Gaza. The term “NAZA,” used throughout the film, is an intelligence acronym for the expected number of civilian deaths in an airstrike.

Abraham said the directors felt a responsibility to document what they view as systemic actions by the Israeli military, building on previous investigative reporting by The Guardian, +972 Magazine and Local Call. He explained that securing the participants required a three-year secretive effort, relying on a network of sources and ensuring the interviewees’ identities were concealed through digital alteration.

Szor highlighted that the documentary addresses the use of artificial intelligence for target selection, attacks on humanitarian sites, and the targeting of civilians in their homes, which she says illustrates a systematic approach. Both directors expressed hope that the film will challenge denial of the events in Gaza and encourage broader public awareness, while acknowledging the difficulty of securing a release within Israel.

The filmmakers noted that shooting took place on Tel Aviv rooftops at night to protect the interviewees and to underscore the distance between daily life in the city and the conflict in Gaza. They cited Glazer’s influence, noting that victims may be out of sight but not out of mind. Abraham added that, despite potential legal or political repercussions, they intend to continue living and working in Israel and aim to eventually screen the film for Israeli audiences.