Gay filmmaker pulls out of TIFF in protest
FILM / Greyson criticizes film fest's Tel Aviv spotlight
Xtra.ca staff / National / Friday, August 28, 2009
Share |

Veteran gay filmmaker John Greyson has withdrawn his short film Covered from the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in protest over the inaugural City to City program on Tel Aviv. In a public letter dated Aug 27 Greyson zeroed in on press comments from the Israeli Consul General Amir Gissin describing the Tel Aviv spotlight as the culmination of the Israeli government's "Brand Israel" campaign.

Despite being a supporter of an economic boycott campaign against Israel, Greyson's letter discusses the "specific and strategic" details of when he participates in such a boycott. He criticizes the Tel Aviv spotlight as too one-sided, lacking diverse voices from displaced Palestinians or underground artists.

"What eventually determined my decision to pull out was the subject of Covered itself," Greyson writes. "It's a doc about the 2008 Sarajevo Queer Festival, which was cancelled due to brutal anti-gay violence. The film focuses on the bravery of the organizers and their supporters and, equally, on the ostriches, on those who remained silent, who refused to speak out: most notoriously the Sarajevo International Film Festival and the Canadian ambassador in Sarajevo. To stand in judgment of these ostriches before a TIFF audience, but then say nothing about this Tel Aviv spotlight — finally, I realized that that was a brand I couldn't stomach."

The letter and Greyson's short film Covered are hosted on Vimeo.com/6308870.

Related articles:


Share |


Reader Comments


 
I agree with Greyson
I'm surprised that TIFF would allow themselves to be used as a propaganda tool for any government, especially one that is responsible for recent war crimes and that still refuses to respect international law. Other film festivals around the world are refusing sponsorships from the Israeli government just as they refused sponsorships from the apartheid South African government. The comments from the Israeli consul general mentioned in this article show that this spotlight was an intentional move to re-brand the Israeli government in the eyes of Canadians. How much money did TIFF accept from the Israeli government to stage this? Was it worth the money to diminish their credibility?
m.n., toronto ontario
08/28/09 1:43 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Know who your friends are!!
The Isreali people are on our side in the war against homophobia and bigotry. We should stand with Isreal. While I do not agree with how Palestinians are treated, I do agree with the Jewish people's right to their homeland. Instead of condemning Isreal and alienating a good friend and ally, Greyson could draw attention to the Palestinian question in a more diplomatic way. Throwing the baby out with the bath water achieves nothing.
Kieran Earles, Mount Pearl Newfoundland
08/29/09 1:55 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Friends don't let friends drive drunk
And friends shouldn't let friends commit war crimes, ignore international court rulings and starve an occupied population of food and resources. I congratulate John Greyson for standing up for the Palestinians. Pulling his film isn't going to cause damage to anyone except Greyson, but it goes a long way to send a message to the Israeli government that their actions are condemned around the world.
Paul, Toronto ON
08/29/09 2:50 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
A bit of balance, please!
People have short memories. No one remembers the Palestinian war crimes at the 1972 Munich Olympics (II Israeli athletes and a German policeman murdered)? Or the cowardly throwing of a handicapped man IN A WHEELCHAIR overboard off the Italian cruiseship Achille Lauro - hijacked by Palestinian terrorists in 1982 -simply because he was Jewish (not even Israeli)? People are all concentrating on Israeli excesses and completely forgetting that the day Israel LOSES a war (the Arabs have mounted at least 4 against them) that what has been done to the Palestinians will look like a skirmish in comparison to what will be done to the Israelis. They forget the bombing of a Jewish restaurant in Paris (1982) - 8 innocent civilians killed, simply for being Jewish. Again, done by Palestinians ready to kill Jews anywhere in the world. People forget that Hamas's charter seeks to attack Jews - not just Israelis - anywhere in the world. If Greyson and others wish to condemn Israel - fine - but they should ALSO condemn the totally anti-Semitic offenses perpetrated by Palestinians and Muslims throughout the Middle East. Why do they only point fingers in ONE direction?
Ken, Paris France
08/30/09 7:31 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Greyson, do u know what happens to gays in Palasta
Mr Greayson, do u know what happens to gays in the Palestinian territories? And do u know who helps them? I'll tell you: If you are gay Palestinian and you are a lucky man, you get caught by Hamas militants, they "only" put a bomb on your body and send you to Tel-Aviv to demolish yourself "with people like you". If you are not lucky, you are being rapped and killed right away, I would have also detailed how they kill the gays there, but I'm sure it won't be published here. and you know who helps Palestinian gays? WE DO! the gay community of Tel-Aviv gives shelter and support to gay Palestinians who run for their lives. We even have an arrangement with the police that Palestinians gays will not be deported back to the Palestinian authority, if they get arrested for illigal staying, and will be taken care of in Tel aviv by the gay community. and if you were really interested in what really goes on in Israel u would have found out that there are millions of Israelis praying for peace and willing to make the necessary scarifies for it. When you boycott Israel, you boycott us as well, especially those who lives in Tel-aviv county!
Gil, Tel-Aviv Israel
08/31/09 5:05 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
BDS
I congratulate John Greyson for taking this brave position. The BDS movement is an important tool in the struggle for Palestinian human rights. Though many Israel supporters will criticize him for his action, it is important to note that there is a growing queer movement in solidarity with Palestinians. this summer has seen an important presence by queers against Israeli apartheid in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Let's hope our generation of queer activists can honor our tradition of political involvement. once again, and always: THERE IS NO PRIDE IN APARTHEID
Pete, Ottawa Ontario
08/31/09 10:57 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Watch the film
Greyson has posted COVERED online for the duration of TIFF to be viewed for free. I suggest everyone watch it if they can. http://www.vimeo.com/6308870
Ted, Edmonton Alberta
08/31/09 2:14 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Bravo to John Greyson
Bravo to John Greyson for this courageous act. To the racists in this thread: you advocate holding all Palestinians responsible for the acts of a few -- which is in itself racist -- yet you oppose holding the state of Israel responsible for its own actions, even when this is done through non-violent means. The BDS call is a non-violent action that has the support of all Palestinian civil society. Israel is not concerned about Palestinian gays, it is exploiting their experience of homophobia for its own propaganda needs. If it were concerned, would it not have a refugee program for Palestinian gays? Yet, contrary to what Gil says, it does not. If what "Gil" says were true, why was Ezra Nawi's boyfriend, a harmless labourer, deported to the West Bank, and Nawi charged for harbouring him? Because the central logic of the Israeli state is ethnic exclusion. Yes, Jews have a right to a homeland, and so do Palestinians. No one has the right to an ethnically exclusive, racist, apartheid state homeland. It is past time for civil society around the world to hold Israel to account. Through brave acts like Greyson's the world can tell Israel that violence and racism will never be considered normal and acceptable.
Teau, Toronto ON
08/31/09 2:54 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
you got it all wrong, Teau
you forget that the Palestinians elected a terrorist, racist, hateful group (Hamas), you forget that in 2000, the Israeli government offered a peace deal that include redrawing from almost all occupied territories, and exchange lands for the rest. They said NO. do I need to remind you what the Jewish people did when they got like 15% of the land from the u.n? they said "we'll take it". the Palestinians are entitled to be free in thier own independent state, but accusing the Israelis for everything that went wrong in the peace process, and ignoring the Palestinians part is mostly patronising them. They are responsible for their own actions. Terror has ruined the peace process. and its not a few. they were times when 70% of the pal supported the killing of Innocent Israelis. you are too brainwashed to realize that this conflict may not be about territories at all. you say Jewish people entitle to their homeland. Tell that to your Pal friends, let see what their answer is. and by the way: you say that Israel is exploiting the homophobia in the Pal society for propaganda. well, maybe the Palestinians using human rights activist like you, to their own. and even though I do not support the deportation of Ezra's partner, he has an ongoing clashes with the army (and the plannings police force) and the deportation is on that ground. You should check about other cases.
Gil, Tel-Aviv Israel
09/01/09 8:40 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Inconvenient truth
Here is the latest news from the NY Times (Sept 1,2009): "A Hamas spiritual leader said Monday that teaching Palestinian children about the Nazis’ murder of six million Jews would be a “war crime.” The leader, Yunis al-Astal, lashed out after hearing that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency was considering the introduction of Holocaust lessons in some of the 221 schools the United Nations runs in Gaza. Adding the Holocaust to the curriculum would amount to “marketing a lie and spreading it,” Dr. Astal wrote in a statement..." By the way, Dr. Astal is not just a cleric but ALSO a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council...and a member of the Hamas military wing. Naturally, teaching Palestinian children about the Holocaust might just allow them to understand WHY Israel was created in the first place... Nevertheless, "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" - one of the most virulent anti-Semitic tracts ever created(originally by the Czars,then re-used against the Jews by Hitler) IS taught in Palestinian schools as if it is true - which it isn't. It is quoted in the Hamas Charter directly. Why do people like Greyson refuse to admit that they are not only supporting rabid homophobes but virulent anti-Semites? I have yet to hear him EVER say anything against Hamas or Hezbollah..or their methods. When will he support a "Hamas Terrorist Week" at York U? Not bloody likely. "Balanced" criticism seems out of date these days... PS: I have always supported the idea of a Palestinian State...anyone who tries to brand me a "racist" for pointing out the evidently anti-Semitic nature of Palestinian tactics is WAY off base.
Ken, Paris France
09/01/09 12:33 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
There are Israelis siding with Greyson
It's very easy for some people to dismiss John Greyson as some gay goy with a myopic and "unbalanced" view of the situation in Israel. If Greyson and like-minded people only feel what they feel because they're detached from and ignorant of the Big Picture, then what excuse is there for like-minded Israelis? Israeli director Udi Aloni supports Greyson, saying: "[Other Israeli Directors] must decide if they are representatives of the Foreign Ministry or of an uncompromising opposition to occupation and racism in Israel... ...Israeli directors don't have to be defensive and ask 'Why are they attacking us?' but say to the Canadian directors: 'We're with you on this. We don't represent [Foreign Minister Avigdor] Lieberman; we represent the opposition.' There are only two options. It's no longer possible to shoot and cry." http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasen/spages/1110750.html
L.T., Toronto Ontario
09/01/09 2:31 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
OPEN LETTER to John Greyson
OPEN LETTER to John Greyson Dear Mr. Greyson, Having now watched your film... 1) Your film is not a coherent piece of storytelling. Presumably it was invited to the festival in the first place due to your relationship with the festival heads. 2) One aspect of what you attempt to illuminate in your film is important: The violence against that festival in Sarajevo. What I learned from your piece of filmmaking here I could have learned reading one paragraph in 20 seconds. Where is your art here, as a filmmaker? Why are you telling us this story, rather than showing it? (One of the cardinal rules of screenplays and filmmaking is SHOW US, don't tell us.) And what is this voiceover of someone teaching another words in presumably the Bosnian language? To hit us over the head with the written narration you want us to read? Pointless. No connection to the story you're attempting to tell. Just let us read the narration. 3) What is the point with famous musicians in this story, doing covers of songs? How does this relate or connect in any way with the violence to shut the festival down? I do not know you. I've never seen any of your work before. And this is the first time in my life, in my career, that I have ever written non-praiseworthy comments about another filmmaker. If I don't like someone's feature or short, I keep the comments to myself or among conversation with friends. Because of the quality of your film (or my perceived lack of), this pulling your film from Toronto strikes me as a publicity stunt. Sure, some can say you don't do this kind of stuff, because you don't care about Hollywood. But you do care about publicity, I'm sure. We both know the power of this, and what it can do for one's career. This appears to be no more than a publicity stunt. And this is disconcerting to me. Using the complicated politics of the Middle East to promote yourself is, in my view, dishonest, disingenuous, and opportunistic. I am an American Jew. I do not claim to know all
Jerome Courshon, Los Angeles California
09/01/09 5:47 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
OPEN LETTER to John Greyson
I do not claim to know all the intricacies of all the issues between Israelis and Palestinians. But I have been following the issues since the first Palestinian intifada in 1987. While I have never personally approved of the way the Israeli government handled that, or the second intifada, one MUST have perspective on the entirety of the issues in that region, and NOT pull aspects out of the larger issue to look at them individually and out of context. I believe most Jews, as myself, do not want to ever see an Israeli soldier killing anyone. But I also don't want to see terrorists blowing innocent people up in Tel Aviv clubs and hotels, or see Hamas firing rockets into Israel killing children. So let's cut to the chase here, because I (or anyone) could write about all the back & forth between the two sides ad nauseam, and who's to blame or who first started "the latest round." The Arab world, particularly the Arab nations that attempted to destroy Israel and wipe Israel off the map in 1967 and 1973, hold much responsibility in there being no peace in the Middle East. Anyone who truly understands the issues there -- TRULY UNDERSTANDS -- knows that for a lasting peace to take effect, it will require the real participation and backing of these Arab nations. What does this mean? For one, they stop funding the Palestinians' various military wings (and past and current terrorist activities) and they come to the bargaining table in sincerity. What many people not educated on these regional issues don't realize, is that it serves some of these Arab nations' OWN politics to maintain Israel as the pariah. As long as Israel is hated and despised, it focuses attention away from some of these corrupt Arab governments. (The leaders of these governments are not stupid.) It is not in their best interests, in their minds, to have a "global" peace with Israel. Egypt became the exception in the late '70s due to the foresight and forward thinking of that nat
Jerome Courshon, Los Angeles California
09/01/09 5:50 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
OPEN LETTER to John Greyson
Egypt became the exception in the late '70s due to the foresight and forward thinking of that nation's leader then, and Jordan in the '90s as well. But this is not the norm. You have textbooks -- TEXTBOOKS -- in some of these Arab nations that schoolchildren read, that teach hatred of the Jews and Israel. Propaganda? Damn right it is. The leaders of some of these nations do not want their citizens blaming them for their social ills, or high unemployment, or -- God forbid -- the reason there is no peace in that region. Blame the Jews. It's easy and convenient. And of course, historical. I apologize for my bluntness here, but people like you, Mr. Greyson, do not truly understand ALL the issues at play. The regional issues and the geopolitical issues. You glom onto pieces of the debate, and believe you understand everything. If there is ever going to be peace in the Middle East, it will NOT take leaders, but statesmen. It will take all the Arab nations, and Israel, and the U.S., to come together to hammer out something everyone can live with. It will take the Arab Nations forcing the Palestinians to accept compromises that the Palestinians don't want to accept, and it will take the U.S. forcing Israel to accept compromises that Israel does not want to accept. One thing most people forget, is that Israel is a democracy. The leader that gets elected is either a "conservative" or "liberal," and very contingent upon the mood of that nation at the time of election. (Just like the U.S.) Unfortunately, this affects their policies and engagement of the peace process. When there are terrorist attacks in Israel, the people there want revenge, not peace. (Just like here in the U.S. with 9/11.) Unfortunately, the human element of feeling injustice and wanting revenge cannot be removed from the human psyche. Awareness of this psychology, however, can sometimes help. But I digress. You think that Israel engaging in some governmental propaganda, to try to cha
Jerome Courshon, Los Angeles California
09/01/09 5:52 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
OPEN LETTER to John Greyson
You think that Israel engaging in some governmental propaganda, to try to change some of the world's low opinions of it, is wrong. And thus, you pull your film and assert you're making a statement. And yet, by doing so, you are asserting that Israel IS in the wrong here, and that they should be "punished" in some way. Forget about the latest round of Hamas rockets being fired into Israel last year, forget about the Palestinian leaders (Yasser Arafat, for one) in the past refusing to make peace with Israel when Israel had leaders who tried, and forget about discussing the Arab Nations' leaders and their lack of real participation. Just blame Israel. This is short-sighted of you, and shows you have a real lack of comprehension of the all the issues at hand. This is beside the point, but if Israel wants to engage in some propaganda around the world, why shouldn't they? The Palestinians do it. And when looking at the entire history of U.N. resolution votes (and Security Council votes) since the birth of Israel, you have nearly every nation in the world voting AGAINST Israel the majority of the time. Except for the U.S. This speaks volumes about the world's prejudices still existing today. Volumes. Pulling your film from TIFF for publicity purposes? That's your choice as a filmmaker and as a person. Pulling it under the guise of bringing light to your judgement that the TIFF is wrong in showcasing Israeli films? Naive, uneducated, and opportunistic. Jerome Courshon Producer/Writer Los Angeles, CA
Jerome Courshon, Los Angeles California
09/01/09 5:53 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Boycott, Divest, Sanction
I will be attending the Toronto Palestine Film Festival. www.tpff.ca I will not be attending any portion of the Toronto Film Fest this year. I agree with Greyson. I am doing this for the same reason I've cancelled my tickets for the lecture series on the dead sea scrolls. We all need to do what we can in support of our beliefs and I beleive Israel will not change its apartheid practices and policies without international pressure.
F Romain, Toronto Ontario
09/02/09 3:07 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Where Do You Want Us to Go?
Dear Mr. Greyson I won't berate or insult you. But have only two questions. 1. Is it Israel's responsibility to protect the Palestinians human rights? or their leaders? 2. Having been born in Israel and lived through the conflicts and wars. I love Canada. Where nothing ever happens! How lucky we are..our neighbors may be ignorant of our existence but they don't try to destroy and displace us. So my question to you is Since according to your views and many others in the world the regions problems are due to the existence of the state of Israel. Where Do You Want Us To Go? since we clearly aren't welcome by our neighbors where would you relocate us to? Michael
michael, toronto ont
09/05/09 10:15 AM EST
Report this comment to moderator.
Greyson in good company
It looks like a number of other prominent actors, filmmakers and writers have joined Greyson in denouncing this celebratory spotlight on Tel Aviv, including Jane Fonda, Danny Glover, Naomi Klein, Alice Walker, and many others. Check it out: http://torontodeclaration.blogspot.com As for the previous poster, a government that occupies a population is obligated by international law to protect the human rights of those people. Even if you didn't consider the bombardment and siege of Palestinians to be a violation of human rights itself.
P, Toronto Ontario
09/05/09 4:54 PM EST
Report this comment to moderator.