Scene from 'Z32'
צילום: פיליפ בלאיש
Claim: Film restricted for political reasons
Director Avi Mugrabi says movie dealing with murder of two Palestinian policemen classified as unsuitable for viewers under age of 14 because it is ''cinematographically challenging'; Film Rating Board rejects allegation
Director Avi Mugrabi's new film "Z32" has been classified by the Israeli Film Rating Board as unsuitable for viewers under the age of 14.
The movie, which tells the story of a former soldier who was involved in the murder of two Palestinian police officers, made its world premier at the Venice Film Festival. Since then, it has also been screened in Israeli cinematheques.
Following an appeal submitted by Mugrabi to the Board, its members explained their decision by stating that "the subject of the film, which describes in different ways the involvement of IDF soldiers in the murder of two Palestinian policemen in order to avenge the killing of Jews, and the apparent abstruseness in its various parts… requires the viewer to watch the film in a rational manner and justifies its classification as suitable for viewers over the age of 14.
"This is not a film for children, but rather for a more mature and critical audience."
Mugrabi, on his part, slammed the decision, saying that "there are no sexual or violent scenes in the film and no vulgar language is used, and thus I believe there is no room for this restriction."
Mugrabi, whose work often deals with politically charged issues, added that "the film was likely restricted because of the sensitive issue it deals with in terms of politics, and this is beyond the authority of the Film Rating Board. The Board has no mandate to restrict films for being cinematographically challenging."
Officials at the Film Rating Board were unmoved by Mugrabi's claims. One of them said, off the record, "All he wants is to stay in the limelight."
The film will be screened in the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Cinematheques over the weekend. The Sderot Cinematheque will screen the film on September 25.
