IFFI 2022 jury head, Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid landed in the eye-of-storm after calling out Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files as a “vulgar, propaganda” film during the event. Soon after the makers of the film, along with the star cast lashed out at the filmmaker for his insensitive comment. Now, as per reports, Lapid has said that the comments made by him, were not only his and that other jury members changed their statements out of fear.LAPID SAYS JURY CHANGED STATEMENT
In an interaction with India TodayTV, Lapid revealed that the statements he made onThe Kashmir Files were not his own alone and that it was shared by all the jury members. According to him, the jury was sitting in the screening room and had the same feelings after watching the film.
The publication quoted Lapid as saying, Everyone was aware of what was going to be said. I have emails and WhatsApp to prove it. I understand that under pressure or fear or anxiety, people can suddenly change their statements.”
However, Lapid refrained from sharing the messages on The Kashmir Files, stating that he understands the sensibility of the situation and “the people who are afraid and feel they might pay a price.”
LAPID’S CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENT
, adding, “It felt to us like a propaganda, vulgar movie inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious competition. I feel totally comfortable in sharing these feelings openly on stage, since the spirit of the festival truly accepts critical discussion which is essential for art and life.”
Earlier Lapid had said that when he saw the film, he was struck by how blatantly it adhered to the government line on Kashmir. While makers have reiterated that the film, based on the mass exodus of Kashmiri Hindus in the 90s, is not fabricated, Lapid added that it ” justifies the Indian policy in Kashmir, and it has fascist features.”
