Israeli screenwriter and film director has criticized Vivek Agnihotri’s film ‘The Kashmir Files’ for being obscene and propaganda-oriented. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, where he was the head of the jury. Lapid even said that it was inappropriate for a film like The Kashmir Files to be a part of a prestigious film festival like IFFI.
As soon as he made this comment, Lapid faced strong backlash not only from the makers of the film, and fans of the film, but also from senior dignitaries of the Israeli administration, who accused him of misusing the Indian invitation in the worst possible way. Reprimanded. Members of the jury also distanced themselves from Lapid and his comments.
But who is Nadav Lapid?
Born to industry veteran writer Haim Lapid and film editor Era Lapid, Nadav Lapid was a student at Tel Aviv University, where he studied philosophy. After completing his military service in the Israel Defense Forces, Lapid moved to Paris. He then returned to Israel and earned a degree at the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School in Jerusalem.
Lapid has films such as Policeman (2011), The Kindergarten Teacher (2014), Synonym (2019) and Ahead’s Knee (2021).
He is known for his anti-authoritarian stand and not pulling his punches when it comes to criticism. Talking about his film Synology, which revolves around a young Israeli man who runs away to Paris to escape his nationality, Lapid said that “the collective soul of Israel is a sick soul”.
“The film talks about the collective Israeli soul and the Israeli collective soul is a sick soul. Something in the deep essence of Israel’s existence is wrong – rotten. It’s not just Benjamin Netanyahu – it’s not exclusive to Israel. But, at the same time, I think this Israeli disease or nature is characterized by young Israeli men, smiling, who raise no questions and no doubts. They are extremely proud to be Israelis. They have a sense of existence. There is a completely bifurcated vision: us versus everyone else,” he said in an interview with Now magazine.
In the same interview he said, “If one really wants to know me, it is better to know my films than knowing me. My films are themselves in a world without social codes. With a film you can celebrate your existence.” .
He also spoke out against the launch of the Shomron (Samaria/West Bank) Film Fund, which he believed had only one goal – to actively engage in whitewashing of Israeli filmmakers in exchange for financial support and rewards. invite you to participate.
The purpose of the fund was to distribute grants to Jewish settlers living in the West Bank and to productions by Israeli citizens filmed in the West Bank.
Lapid’s film ‘The Kindergarten Teacher’ was screened at IFFI and lead actor Sarit Larry was awarded the Best Actress (Female).
The Israeli filmmaker is also a recipient of France’s prestigious Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. In February 2019, his film Synonyms won the Golden Bear at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. His debut film Policeman won the Locarno Festival Special Jury Prize at the Locarno International Film Festival in 2011.
