Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid made controversial statements condemning the Indian movie “The Kashmir Files” in the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India. However, his remarks were not welcomed by the Israel envoy in India and slammed by his own countrymen.
New Delhi, India: On Tuesday, during the closing ceremony of The International Film Festival of India which was being held in Goa, Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid made controversial statements regarding the Indian Film “The Kashmir Files” being played at the IFFI. Mr. Lapid seemed distressed by the nomination of The Kashmir Files in the festival.
Nadav Lapid who was the jury chairperson of the 53rd Edition of The International Film Festival quoted in his speech that the jury was “disturbed” and “shocked” by the 15th Entry film which was The Kashmir Files. Adding to his speech, Mr. Lapid said that the movie felt to the jury like a “Propaganda” and a “Vulgar” movie. Lapid also claimed that the movie was inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of the prestigious film festival.
Nadav Lapid said that he spoke on behalf of all the jury members however Sudipto Sen, another member of the jury made a statement on Twitter that it was Mr. Lapid’s personal opinion of the movie and it has nothing to do with the esteemed jury board.
Reactions of the Israel Envoy
Nadav Lapid’s statements have yet again split the people over The Kashmir Files controversy. The filmmaker’s remarks were not welcomed by the people of the Israel Envoy itself. Naor Gilon, The Ambassador of Israel to India took to Twitter to slam the Israeli director Nadav Lapid.
He wrote an Open letter to the director using strong words such as “You should be Ashamed” regarding his criticism of the film. He wrote, “An open letter to #NadavLapid following his criticism of #KashmirFiles. It’s not in Hebrew because I wanted our Indian brothers and sisters to be able to understand. It is also relatively long so I’ll give you the bottom line first. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED. Here’s why” which was followed by a thread of tweets against Nadav Lapid.
In his tweets, he mentioned how India’s hospitality and how the guests are treated like God in the Country. Adding to the same, he tweeted that Nadav Lapid has abused the warm hospitality that India had bestowed upon him.
Mr. Gilon upset with the director Nadav Lapid’s statements over the movie wrote that they should be humble to the country when India, with such a great film culture, consumes Israeli movies(such as Fauda) as well.
“The friendship between the people and the states of India and Israel is very strong and will survive the damage you have inflicted. As a human being, I feel ashamed and want to apologize to our hosts for the bad manner in which we repaid them for their generosity and friendship.”, Naor Gilon in his Open Letter to Nadav Lapid.
Speaking to ANI, Naor Gilon said that Lapid’s personal opinion should not change the relations between the two Countries.
Israel’s stand over Nadav Lapid’s controversial statements was pretty clear in Naor Gilon’s words. Israel’s official Twitter account also shared Mr. Gilon’s thread and wrote, “To all of our friends in India, please read this important thread.”
Israel’s Consul General Kobbi Shoshani speaking to ANI said that Nadav Lapid’s remarks over the move The Kashmir Files is a “big mistake” and they aren’t appropriate.
Talking about the movie he said that the movie is definitely not “propaganda” and the voice of the people needs to be heard. “It was not an easy film to see. I think it was shown in Israel too. We are Jews who suffered from horrible things and I think we’ve to share others’ suffering.” Kobbi Shoshani.
Shoshani also met the actor Anupam Kher who played a major in the movie and apologized to him over Lapid’s remarks.
The Kashmir Files is a movie based on the exile of the Kashmiri Pandits from the beautiful valley. The film had strike controversy when it was released in the country.
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