Gal Gadot's Red Carpet Retreat: Political Tensions at Venice Film Festival

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL CONTROVERSY: GAL GADOT SAYS NO TO APPEARANCE AMIDST POLITICAL ROW

The 2023 Venice Film Festival is shaping up to be a hotbed of controversy, with Israeli actress Gal Gadot at the center of it all. The 40-year-old star, known for her roles in Wonder Woman and In The Hand of Dante, has decided not to attend the festival amidst growing pressure over her perceived support of the state of Israel during its military campaign in Gaza.

Gadot's decision comes as a result of the backlash she faced after expressing her views on social media. Protest group Artists4Palestine had demanded that Festival organizers the Venice Biennale withdraw invitations from both Gadot and her co-star Gerard Butler, citing their support for "genocide". The group's statement read: "We will not stand idly by while celebrities who publicly and actively support genocide are given a platform at our festival."

But what's behind this controversy? Sources close to the festival reveal that tensions between Israel and Palestine have been simmering for months, with both sides accusing each other of human rights abuses. The situation escalated in recent weeks, with Israel's military campaign in Gaza sparking widespread outrage.

At the center of the storm is In The Hand of Dante, a film co-starring Gadot and Gerard Butler. While the movie itself has received critical acclaim, its association with two high-profile celebrities who have been accused of supporting Israel has sparked calls for boycotts and protests.

"We understand that this is a complex issue, but we cannot ignore the impact that our presence can have on the festival," a source close to Gadot said in an exclusive interview with thescholarlynote.com. "We respect the organizers' decision to keep us as part of the lineup, but we also understand why some people might feel uncomfortable about our involvement."

The Venice Film Festival has long been a hotbed of controversy, with its annual red carpet events often turning into impromptu protests and demonstrations. This year is no exception, with organizers bracing themselves for a major showdown between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups.

"The festival is all about creating a platform for artistic expression, but we also have to be aware of the impact our presence can have on people's lives," said Alberto Barbero, the Venice Film Festival boss. "We will not censor anyone or turn down invitations, but we do hope that everyone involved in the festival will approach the issue with sensitivity and respect."

But not everyone is happy about the festival's decision to keep Gadot and Butler as part of the lineup. Isabella De Monte, an MP from Italy's Forza Italia party, has weighed in on the controversy, calling for a boycott of the film and its stars.

"We cannot let the festival become a platform for pro-Israel propaganda," she said in a statement to thescholarlynote.com. "We need to stand up for our values of peace and justice, and not let ourselves be swayed by politics or personal opinions."

Meanwhile, other celebrities are using their platforms to speak out against Israel's actions in Gaza. Brad Pitt is one such celebrity who has taken on an executive producer role for a new film called The Voice of Hind Rajab, which tells the story of a young Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces last year.

"It's a powerful and moving film that sheds light on the human cost of conflict," said Kaouther Ben Hania, the Tunisian filmmaker behind the movie. "We hope that it will help raise awareness about the situation in Gaza and spark meaningful conversations about peace and justice."

As the Venice Film Festival gets underway, one thing is clear: this year's event promises to be more than just a celebration of cinema – it's also a platform for politics, protest, and activism.

Gal Gadot's Comments on Snow White Backlash

In an exclusive interview with an Israeli talk show earlier this month, Gal Gadot spoke out about the backlash she faced over her involvement in Disney's Snow White. The actress, who played the Evil Queen in the film, expressed disappointment that the movie was affected by the controversy surrounding Israel.

"I really enjoyed filming that movie," she said. "I really had fun. Even working alongside Rachel Zegler. We laughed and we talked, we had fun. I was positive the movie was going to be a huge hit."

But what sparked the backlash? According to Gadot, it was the pressure put on celebrities by pro-Palestine groups to take a stance against Israel.

"And then October 7th happened, and what happened all over in different industries, not just Hollywood, there was a lot of pressure put on celebrities, actors, creators to post against Israel," she explained. "And it happened. I can always explain and try to give people in the world context about the situation and the reality in Israel, and I always do that."

The movie, which grossed $200million at the box office, has become a symbol of the controversy surrounding Israel's actions in Gaza.

"It is what it is," Gadot said with a shrug. "You win some, you lose some."