Despite being present at one of the world’s most glamorous events, a few celebrities in Cannes are making it clear they are still cognizant of the Gaza War.
Survivor of the attacks on Israel on October 7, Laura Blajman-Kadar, walked the red carpet on Tuesday wearing a bright yellow dress and demanding the release of Israeli hostages who are still being held in Gaza.
Some of the hostages’ photographs were embroidered on her garment, which was colored in a hue that has come to represent the cause.
At the same “Furiosa” premiere, French actress Leila Beikhti was more understated, wearing a pro-Palestinian watermelon heart brooch pinned to her black outfit.
She and UNICEF collaborated to make a video last month in which she urged humanitarian assistance for the youngsters living in the conflict-torn Palestinian region.
Philippe Torreton, a French actor, supported the Israeli hostages by wearing a yellow ribbon the day before.
Omar Sy, of “Lupin” fame, who serves on the jury, demanded a truce on Instagram at the beginning of the festival. “There is no excuse for the deaths of children in Gaza. or anyplace,” he penned.
An AFP calculation of Israeli official numbers indicates that more than 1,170 persons, largely civilians, died as a result of the attack on Israel on October 7th by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
About 250 captives were also taken by the terrorists; Israel estimates that 128 of them are still in Gaza, including 38 who the IDF claims are dead.
At least 35,272 Palestinians, largely civilians, have died as a result of Israel’s military reaction, according to the Gaza Strip’s health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.
Few films related to the situation in the Middle East are being screened at Cannes.
Though it has no connection to the crisis, “The Belle of Gaza” is the title of an out-of-competition documentary that will be screened on Friday.
The French director’s film chronicles the aspirations and hardships of transgender Palestinian women living in Tel Aviv.
In the past, pro-Palestinian groups have accused Israel of covering up its violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories by “pink-washing,” or flaunting its tolerance to the LGBTQ population.
Filmmaker Mehdi Fleifel from Palestine is showing his feature film “To a Land Unknown” in a side section. The film is about two cousins who were raised as Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and who are attempting to go from Greece to Germany in search of a better life.
The Israeli movie “It’s Not Time for Pop” is the only one playing. The film student’s short film centers on a young lady who refuses to participate in nationalistic festivities.
