Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham premiered their documentary “NAZA” at the Venice Film Festival, showcasing Israel’s alleged use of AI technology in military operations targeting Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The film received a remarkable 24.5-minute standing ovation, setting a new record for the festival. Video footage captured the emotional reaction of the filmmakers, including Abraham appearing moved to tears, as the audience expressed their appreciation.

According to Deadline, the ovation for “NAZA” surpassed previous records set by films like “The Voice of Hind Rajab” and “Pan’s Labyrinth.” The presence of director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha added to the significance of the moment. Some attendees displayed Palestinian and Lebanese flags at the event, as seen in social media posts.

Filmed discreetly in Tel Aviv over three years, “NAZA” features interviews with Israeli military personnel whose identities are concealed. The documentary alleges the use of surveillance systems and AI intelligence to target Hamas members, sometimes resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) denied the claims, emphasizing human decision-making in targeting and minimizing harm to civilians.

Named after an Israeli military acronym for civilian casualties, “NAZA” is a companion piece to the filmmakers’ previous award-winning documentary, “No Other Land.” Executive produced by Jonathan Glazer, the film has sparked controversy, particularly in light of Glazer’s previous statements regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. The ongoing conflict in Gaza underscores the timeliness and importance of “NAZA,” shedding light on the systemic nature of the situation through insider accounts.