The Shocking Narrative of War Enters the Venice Film Festival with a Film from Israel

Just a month before the first anniversary of Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel and the start of the war in Gaza, Israeli filmmakers brought the horror of war to the Venice Film Festival. The film "Dogs and People" was shot in one of the kibbutzim that was targeted by the terrorist attack of Palestinian militants in October 2023. The film follows a teenage girl who, after surviving this terrorist attack, searches for her lost dog. While grappling with the consequences of this genocide in her community, she simultaneously witnesses tragic events occurring across the border in Gaza due to the Israeli forces' attack. Dani Rosenberg, the director of this film, responded to the views of some who say it is too early to make a narrative film about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, stating: "I strongly felt that now is the right time to tell this story. I believe it is our duty as filmmakers to open a window to reality so that perhaps a ray of humanity can enter this space." On the first day of the festival, over 300 filmmakers, actors, writers, and musicians condemned the inclusion of "Dogs and People" and another Israeli film titled "Why War" by Amos Gitai in a letter. However, Rosenberg emphasized that everyone wishes for the end of the war and told Reuters that those who signed the letter had not even seen the film. This narrative film, shot in real locations, utilizes local people and improvised dialogues. Ori Avinoam, 18, the only professional actor in the film who plays the lead role, said: "This was a very multifaceted experience for our small group of seven." He continued: "I never thought that as a young actor I would be able to experience something like this." Rosenberg and his team stated that their wish is for peace to return and they had no doubt that their work could play a role in achieving that. Rosenberg said: "I believe this film will leave a memory of the horrific reality we went through in the long term." "Dogs and People" will be screened in the Horizons section of the Venice Festival, which takes place alongside the main competition. This festival concludes on Saturday, September 8. During the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, over 1,200 Israeli citizens, including women, children, and the elderly, were killed, and more than 250 others were taken hostage. Following this terrorist attack, Israel launched an invasion of Gaza to destroy Hamas and recover hostages taken by Hamas. The Hamas group is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Japan, and several other countries around the world.