The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has issued an apology after facing backlash from its members regarding the treatment of Hamdan Ballal, a Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land." The concerns arose after Ballal was detained by Israeli settlers and then taken into custody by the Israeli military, a situation that drew significant scrutiny from Hollywood elites.
Earlier this week, Ballal, who was released shortly after the incident, described being attacked by settlers before being detained. This prompted nearly 700 Academy members, including well-known actors like Mark Ruffalo, Olivia Colman, and Joaquin Phoenix, to sign a letter denouncing the academy's failure to explicitly support him. The Academy had initially issued a statement addressing the incident but did not mention Ballal or the film, which sparked outrage within the film community.
The letter, which criticized the organization for not defending its award-winning filmmakers, emphasized the difficulties in achieving an Oscar and the lack of extravagant campaigns for "No Other Land," which explored the struggles faced by the Masafer Yatta community. It remarked that Ballal's targeting was an affront not only to him but to all filmmakers who dare to tell challenging narratives.
In response to the growing discontent, the Academy released a new statement on Friday, formally apologizing to Ballal and seeking to clarify their disapproval of violence against artists worldwide. “We regret that we failed to directly acknowledge Mr. Ballal and the film by name,” they stated, expressing their strong disapproval of any acts that suppress free speech.
Ballal's co-director Yuval Abraham recalled the attack and noted that Ballal was mistreated by soldiers while he was in an ambulance. The Israel Defense Forces later disputed these claims, stating that multiple individuals were detained on charges of throwing rocks at security personnel.
Directed by Ballal and Abraham, "No Other Land" highlights the conflicts faced by the people of Masafer Yatta and was honored with the best documentary award at the 97th Academy Awards.
