At Oscars, Zone of Interest director criticizes Israeli portrayal of Jewishness and the Holocaust

Director denounces Israel, links Gaza dehumanization to Holocaust in Academy Awards speech. Stars wear red pins for peace and justice.

During his acceptance speech for Best International Feature at the Academy Awards, Director Jonathan Glazer made a powerful statement denouncing Israel and its actions against Hamas. He linked the dehumanization in Gaza to the Holocaust setting of his film, The Zone of Interest, which portrays the daily lives of the overseer of Auschwitz and his family. Glazer emphasized that the film was not meant to highlight past atrocities but to reflect on the present and the dehumanization that continues to shape our world.

In his emotional speech, Glazer expressed his resentment towards the hijacking of Jewishness and the Holocaust by the ongoing conflict in the region. He called for resistance against dehumanization and highlighted the suffering of innocent victims on both sides of the conflict. The audience responded with applause, and lead actress Sandra Hüller was moved to tears.

Several stars at the ceremony wore red lapel pins from "Artists for a Ceasefire," including Mahershala Ali, Mark Ruffalo, and Billie and Finneas Eilish. Ramy Youssef, star of the show Ramy, explained the message of peace and justice for the people of Palestine behind the pins. The sentiment was echoed by Mstyslav Chernov, whose documentary about the tragedy in Mariupol won an Oscar, as he expressed regret for having to make the film due to the ongoing conflict.

Glazer's speech was a significant moment in this awards season, as it brought attention to the Israel-Hamas war and the dehumanization of victims on both sides. Other award shows have also seen calls for peace and justice in conflict zones, with artists using their platforms to raise awareness and promote change. Glazer dedicated his win to a woman named Alexandria, whose story inspired a character in the film, emphasizing the importance of remembering the past and working towards a better future.

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