Overview

• The semidocumentary premiered in competition and received about 23 minutes and 50 seconds of applause, making it a leading critics’ pick before Saturday’s awards.
• It reconstructs the final hours of five-year-old Hind Rajab using original rescue-call audio and other materials, with investigations cited in coverage suggesting Israeli forces’ involvement, which the Israeli military denies.
• Director Kaouther Ben Hania and participants used the Venice stage to condemn the Gaza campaign as genocide, a characterization rejected by Israel and the German government.
• High-profile producers include Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuarón and Jonathan Glazer, and Tunisia has submitted the film for the International Feature Oscar.
• Festival politics intensified as activists urged the disinvitation of Gal Gadot and Gerard Butler and protests were held near the Lido, with both actors not expected to attend.