Los Angeles, California — In a significant gesture of contrition, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued an apology on Friday for not initially acknowledging Oscar-winning “No Other Land” co-director Hamdan Ballal by name, following a violent attack that had occurred in the West Bank. The incident, which involved an assault by Israeli settlers and subsequent custody by the Israeli military, triggered a widespread outcry from the international film community and beyond.
Janet Yang, president of the Academy, and CEO Bill Kramer expressed their regret in a letter to Academy members, admitting to the oversight and the lack of an immediate, personalized response to the attack on Ballal. This apology came after their first attempt at addressing the incident was met with criticism for its perceived vagueness and insufficient support of Ballal.
The conflict, depicted in the documentary “No Other Land,” a joint Israeli-Palestinian project, has been a longtime point of contention, featuring frequent military interventions and attempts to displace local populations predominantly composed of Arab Bedouins. This backdrop serves as a poignant illustration of the tensions that Ballal’s work seeks to highlight.
Ballal was reportedly attacked on Monday and subsequently detained by the Israeli military, sparking strong denunciations from various film organizations, particularly in light of the recent Academy Award recognition for Best Documentary awarded to Ballal and his team. Witnesses told reporters that during the assault, one of the settlers kicked Ballal’s head, treating it “like a football.” Following his capture, Ballal spent over twenty hours in custody, facing allegations of stone-throwing, which he and another Palestinian firmly denied.
On Wednesday, the Academy had released a statement condemning any form of violence and suppression against artists, but it failed to mention Ballal specifically, an omission that drew fierce critiques from within its own ranks. Notably, co-director Yuval Abraham openly criticized the response, equating it to silence over the assault on Ballal.
The clamor for a more fitting reaction crescendoed with an open letter signed by over 600 of the Academy’s 11,000 members, demanding a more robust acknowledgment fitting the gravity of the situation. Among the signatories were prominent figures such as Jonathan Glazer, Joaquin Phoenix, Olivia Colman, Riz Ahmed, Emma Thompson, Javier Bardem, and Penélope Cruz, highlighting the broad support for Ballal among the film community.
In a subsequent statement following a board of governors meeting on Friday, Kramer and Yang articulated a clearer condemnation of the violence and a heartfelt apology to Ballal, emphasizing a staunch opposition to the suppression of free speech.
Ballal shared his harrowing experience, suggesting deliberate targeting due to his recent accolade and recognition. He recounted that his attackers explicitly mentioned his Oscar, underscoring the perceived threat he posed due to his international acclaim.
Despite the challenges faced in distribution, “No Other Land” has garnered over $2 million in North American theaters alone. The striking narrative and its stark depiction of ongoing struggles attest to the provocative and impactful nature of Ballal’s work, which continues to resonate across global audiences.
Through this recent swirl of controversy and support, the heightened attention to “No Other Land” infuses its message with an even more profound significance, reflecting the power of film to transcend borders and foster dialogue on pressing international issues. The Academy’s response, while initially fumbled, ultimately reaffirms its commitment to the protection and promotion of artistic freedom around the world.