More than 200 figures from the worlds of cinema and culture called for the Palestinian flag to be flown throughout next week’s Venice Film Festival.
In an open letter published by the Venice4Palestine initiative, the films Al Mowaten Osama (Citizen Osama) by Ahmed Hassouna and Hiwar ma’ albahr (Conversation with the Sea) by Muayad Alayan were identified as being part of the festival’s official selection. The letter called for the two productions to be represented by the Palestinian flag, in a manner similar to the recognition given to films from other countries.
The initiative asked festival organizers to fly the Palestinian flag throughout the event alongside the flags representing the other films in the official selection.

The open letter calls for a boycott
The letter also called on cinema, media and culture workers to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. It also urged a boycott of institutions and organizations linked to the Israeli government.
Venice4Palestine called for diplomatic, cultural and economic isolation to continue until the Israeli government complies with international law and the occupation and colonization of Palestinian territories ends.
Recognized names among the signatories
Signatories to the open letter include Italian directors Matteo Garrone and Marco Simon Puccioni, actors Guy Pearce, Indya Moore and Adele Haenel, musician Roger Waters and Nobel Prize-winning writer Annie Ernaux.