Film stars sign open letter on Gaza 'genocide' before Cannes festival
Leading figures from the world of cinema, including Julie Delpy, Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes, have published an open letter on the first day of the Cannes film festival, criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza.
"As artists and cultural players, we cannot remain silent while genocide is taking place in Gaza," said the letter, published in French newspaper Libération on Tuesday.
More than 300 members of the global cinema scene have signed the letter, which asks: "Why is it that cinema, a breeding ground for socially committed works, seems to be so indifferent to the horror of reality and the oppression suffered by our sisters and brothers?"
The letter came in response to the killing of Fatma Hassouna, a 25-year-old photojournalist who starred in a film selected to be featured at the celebrated film festival in Cannes.
According to the letter, Hassouna died alongside 10 of her relatives in an Israeli attack in April.
The film - "Put your Soul on Your Hand and Walk" by Iranian director Sepideh Farsi - shows the devastating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has consistently rejected the allegation that it is committing genocide in the coastal territory, but the United Nations and other international aid groups have described the situation as catastrophic.
The 78th edition of the Cannes film festival starts on Tuesday evening and runs until May 24.
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