Key Takeaways:
– Danny Cohen, The Zone of Interest’s executive producer, voiced his disagreement with Jonathan Glazer’s contentious Oscar acceptance speech.
– Glazer’s speech received considerable criticism for his comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
– Despite the controversy, Cohen still believes Glazer can rise above the current backlash.
– Cohen emphasized his unwavering support for Israel, blaming Hamas for the ongoing conflict.
– Glazer’s film The Zone of Interest is currently available for purchase or rental on Prime Video and iTunes.
Controversial Speech Sparks Debate
Jonathan Glazer’s acceptance speech at the Oscars stirred the waters of public opinion. Danny Cohen, The Zone of Interest’s executive producer, didn’t stay quiet and openly voiced his disagreement. Participating in the Unholy podcast, Cohen, who is also the president of Access Entertainment, shared his thoughts on the speech that has riled significant backlash.
Understanding the Rising Anger
One particular aspect Cohen focused on was the swept-up emotion surrounding Glazer’s words. He noted, “It’s important to recognize the speech upset many people, evoking upset and anger. I understand this anger.”
Further, Cohen explained that people from the Jewish community had reached out to him, mixing up the essential messages of the film with the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. He expressed understanding of people’s upset over potentially conflating the two issues, distinguishing between the filmmaker’s intent and public interpretation.
Cohen’s stance on Israel
Despite supporting the controversial director across the creation of his latest film, Cohen flatly disagreed with Glazer’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. He stated, “I fundamentally disagree with Jonathan on this. My support for Israel is unwavering. The war and its continuation are the responsibility of Hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization.”
Public Fury Over Glazer’s Speech
Glazer’s awards night acceptance speech addressed the Israel-Palestine conflict head-on and has been met with strong condemnation, especially from the Holocaust Survivors Foundation. They criticized the director for his “morally indefensible” words. Glazer stated onstage, “Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.”
While expressing his disagreement with Glazer’s controversial message, Cohen maintained his belief that Glazer could stand up for himself and find a way to navigate through this challenging period in his career.
About ‘The Zone of Interest’
The film, The Zone of Interest, directed by Glazer, portrays the everyday life of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss and his wife, Hedwig. Currently, the movie is available for digital rental or purchase via Prime Video and iTunes.
In conclusion, the backlash following Jonathan Glazer’s Oscar speech exemplifies the intersection of film and social-political commentary. As Hollywood continues to grapple with this debate, it remains to be seen how it will impact Glazer’s future work and the industry at large. Despite the heated controversy, supporters like Cohen exhibit faith in the embattled director’s ability to withstand the storm and continue his cinematic journey.
