'Black Swan' director against Israel boycott
Jewish director Darren Aronofsky says one cannot ban entire nation over its government's actions, praises pluralistic Israel as strong democracy
After resurrecting Mickey Rourke's career with "The Wrestler" two years ago, Jewish director Darren Aronofsky has captured the attention of movie goers once again with his critically acclaimed film "Black Swan" featuring Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominated actress Natalie Portman.
Not only providing her with an Oscar-worthy role, Aronofsky also introduced the actress to her current boyfriend, choreographer Benjamin Millepied with whom she is expecting her first child.
Taking a break from the stressful award season, Aronofsky held a brief visit to Israel several weeks ago.
Having recently broken up with his fiancé, British actress Rachel Weisz, the director unwound in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem's restaurants and bars. At one time he was spotted with Israeli model/actress Liat Bello.
"I haven't been in Israel since 1987," he says. "I was 18 at the time. My parents recently visited Israel and said they had a great time which made me envious."
Back in 1987 Aronofky tried his luck as a volunteer at a kibbutz with dreams of picking avocados for a living.
Asked about the recent wave of artists boycotting Israel the director says "you can’t boycott an entire nation," explaining that Israeli society is very diversified with various opinions and perspectives.
Aronofsky says that isolating an entire country over its government's actions is questionable and claims that only inhumane regimes such as those in Iran and North Korea should be boycotted.
Israel, he says, is a strong pluralistic democracy and therefore dialogue should be kept going.
Instead of boycotting Israel, artists should come and add their own opinion to the discourse, he says.
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