Jonathan Glazer, acclaimed director of the critically acclaimed film The Zone of Interest, found himself at the centre of a debate following his acceptance speech at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony. Glazer, accepting the prestigious award for Best International Feature Film, delivered remarks that linked the Holocaust to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, sparking both applause and condemnation within the entertainment industry.

Glazer's speech, which received enthusiastic applause from some attendees at the Dolby Theatre, took a bold stance on the complexities of dehumanisation and conflict. "Our film shows where dehumanisation leads at its worst," Glazer declared, prompting reflection on the present-day implications of historical atrocities. However, he asserted that the Holocaust and Jewish identity were being "hijacked by an occupation" that ignited controversy and divided opinions among Hollywood professionals.

In response to Glazer's speech, more than 450 individuals from the entertainment industry, including actors, directors, producers, and executives, signed an open letter denouncing his remarks. Notable signatories of the letter include Debra Messing, Eli Roth, Amy Pascal, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Julianna Margulies. The group’s statement says: “We refute our Jewishness being hijacked for the purpose of drawing a moral equivalence between a Nazi regime that sought to exterminate a race of people, and an Israeli nation that seeks to avert its own extermination.”

“Every civilian death in Gaza is tragic. Israel is not targeting civilians. It is targeting Hamas. The moment Hamas releases the hostages and surrenders is the moment this heartbreaking war ends. This has been true since the Hamas attacks of October 7th.”

The statement adds: “The use of words like ‘occupation’ to describe an indigenous Jewish people defending a homeland that dates back thousands of years, and has been recognized as a state by the United Nations, distorts history. It gives credence to the modern blood libel that fuels a growing anti-Jewish hatred around the world, in the United States, and in Hollywood.”

The fallout from Glazer's speech extended beyond Hollywood, with organizations like The Holocaust Survivors’ Foundation USA publicly condemning his remarks as "morally indefensible" and "disgraceful." David Schaecter, the foundation's 94-year-old president, expressed anguish over Glazer's equating of Hamas's actions with Israel's self-defence efforts.

Glazer's executive producer, Danny Cohen, publicly disagreed with the director's remarks, emphasizing his unwavering support for Israel. Cohen shared a statement through a representative that the director had not run the speech by him before giving it, despite speaking on behalf of those accepting the award. In the statement, he was quoted saying, “I just fundamentally disagree with Jonathan.”

More than 500 Jewish ents professionals have signed a letter denouncing #JonathanGlazer 's Oscar's speech. These people must live in a bubble. Do they not see the live-streamed genocide of a people? And they deny the illegal occupation. Respect to Glazer & his brave truth. pic.twitter.com/XMgPvb3QwO

— Steve Wall (@stevethewall) March 19, 2024

Despite the backlash, Glazer's supporters have defended his speech, arguing that it serves as a powerful reminder of the need for empathy and understanding in times of conflict. They contend that Glazer intended to provoke thought and discussion rather than to endorse a specific political viewpoint.

Those publicly backing Glazer include directors Asif Kapadia, Boots Riley, actor and musician Steve Wall, and the actor and writer Zoe Kazan. Steve Wall publicly announced that he “had the honour of working with Jonathan Glazer in 1995 in Havana. He's made some of the most iconic TV ads, music videos and movies. The guy is a bit of a genius. After the bravery of this speech, I'm even more in awe.”

English trip hop collective, Massive Attack, also stated in a post on the platform X, “Jonathan Glazer is a filmmaker of the highest integrity, craft & bravery. A filmmaker who researches his subject matter painstakingly, & weighs his artistic judgements with high care & deep humanity. That care, judgement & humanity led to the conclusions of his speech. Solidarity”

An editorial in Haaretz opined that Glazer was correct, while the director of the Auschwitz Memorial also defended him, saying that “Glazer issued a universal moral warning against dehumanisation.

“His aim was not to descend to the level of political discourse. Critics who expected a clear political stance or a film solely about genocide did not grasp the depth of his message.”

"In his Oscar acceptance speech, Jonathan Glazer issued a universal moral warning against dehumanization. His aim was not to descend to the level of political discourse.

Critics who expected a clear political stance or a film solely about genocide did not grasp the depth of his… pic.twitter.com/222Xv3lVEb

— Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) March 14, 2024

The incident has reignited discussions about the role of artists in activism and the challenges of addressing political issues in the entertainment industry. It has also highlighted the responsibility filmmakers bear in navigating sensitive topics and the potential consequences of their words on a global stage.

Meanwhile, debates within Hollywood continue to unfold, with some industry figures expressing solidarity with Glazer's message while others condemn it as misguided and harmful. As the discussion surrounding Glazer's speech persists, it highlights the necessity for nuanced conversations and thoughtful examination of intricate geopolitical matters.

Jonathan Glazer's Oscars speech has sparked a wide-ranging discussion within Hollywood and beyond, prompting reflection on the intersection of art, politics, and social responsibility. As the industry grapples with the fallout from Glazer's remarks, it remains to be seen how the controversy will shape future conversations and actions within the entertainment community

For more information about Irish artists in support of Gaza, check out our article here!