Hanoch Daum
צילום: רפי דלויה
Not at our expense, Mr. Copti
'Ajami' director allowed to criticize Israel; it’s the hypocrisy we can’t stand
Good morning Mr. Scandar Copti, co-director of Oscar nominee "Ajami".
We hope you had a good time at the Oscar ceremony. We are certain that it was nice to fly to the film industry’s most important event, rub shoulders with the rich and famous, and see the light. Such a trip costs plenty of money: New suites, limousines, hotels. Fortunately, you had a budget of more than NIS 2 million (roughly $550,000) in public funds. It must have helped you get a nice haircut.
We don’t make a fuss over people who object to the State of Israel, Mr. Copti. Our problem is not with the criticism, but rather, with the hypocrisy.
It may be petty, but this is the way we are. We feel a little itchy when we see someone who would not get anywhere without our money celebrating at the public’s expense, using the resources courageously provided by our State, based on the understanding that we should also promote complex movies that touch upon the core of the Israeli-Arab-Palestinian mosaic, yet the moment he feels strong enough, the moment he is at the top of the mountain, he chooses to spit in our direction and tell us that he actually doesn’t recognize us and barely remembers that his movie is Israeli.
You’re not coming back in
So let us help you, Mr. Copti: Your movie was made in Israel. Your screenplay was written about Israel. Your actors live here. And the foundations that provided the money to turn your (touching) idea into something that can be seen on the big screen also come from the wallets of Israelis who live here with great pride, perform their military reserve service, and even stand up when they hear the national anthem. That much.You are allowed to criticize the State. All of us do it. We are very tolerant of this, and as you know, we also fund quite a few films that in one way or another criticize social injustices being committed in Israel. Yet as to the criticism we fund, Mr. Director, we are willing to accept it as long as it’s coming from inside.
The moment a man who sleeps with us in the same tent chooses to step outside and urinate into the tent, he will no longer be allowed back into the tent. Oh no.
As to your next movie, Mr. Copti, you will have to make it with the help of foundations funded by taxpayers you do feel you belong with. Who knows, maybe the government in Gaza has a special budget for promoting culture. There are quite a few people there who appreciate gentle and noble art and dedicate their lives to spiritual matters. Perhaps you would do well to turn to them. I’m sure that Ismail Haniyeh loves to edit screenplays in his free time.
