LOS ANGELES, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ board of governors issued an apology to Hamdan Ballal, co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” following criticism over the initial response to the recent attack on the Palestinian filmmaker.
In a letter obtained by sources, Academy Chief Executive Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed sincere regret for failing to directly acknowledge Ballal and his film by name in their previous statement. The Academy condemned the violence and suppression of free speech anywhere in the world.
Following the attack on Ballal by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, the lackluster response from the film academy sparked disappointment among various filmmakers and actors. More than 600 academy members, including multiple Oscar winners, criticized the leadership for falling short of the necessary response to the incident.
In an open letter, the academy members stood in condemnation of the assault on Ballal, emphasizing the importance of protecting artists and their ability to tell stories without facing reprisals. They also highlighted the risks documentary filmmakers take to enlighten the world and criticized the Academy for recognizing “No Other Land” with an award but failing to defend its filmmakers in the face of such violence.
The letter called attention to the dangerous conditions facing Ballal and his team following the Oscar win, noting that their lives were increasingly at risk. Oscar-winning actors and filmmakers, including Olivia Colman, Riz Ahmed, and Penélope Cruz, were among the signatories of the letter demanding justice for Ballal and his colleagues.
The Israeli military and police detained Ballal after the attack, during which he was brutally beaten. He was released the following day with visible bruises and blood on his clothes. Ballal attributed the attack to retaliation for the content of their award-winning documentary “No Other Land,” which sheds light on the demolition of Palestinian villages by Israel to build military training grounds.
The Academy leaders sent an apology to members, acknowledging their shortcomings in addressing the assault on Ballal. The incident has brought to light the dangers faced by filmmakers who dare to expose inconvenient truths, prompting a call for greater protection and support from institutions like the Academy.