Executive producer Danny Cohen, from the film “The Zone of Interest,” recently spoke out against director Jonathan Glazer’s controversial Oscars speech. During his acceptance speech for best international film, Glazer compared his Holocaust film to the conflict in Gaza, leading to backlash from the Jewish community and Holocaust survivors.
Cohen, president of Access Entertainment and former director of BBC television, expressed his disagreement with Glazer’s comments. He acknowledged that the speech had upset many people and understood their anger. Cohen revealed that he had been contacted by several members of the Jewish community who believed the film was important for Holocaust education but were upset that it had been linked to the current situation in Gaza.
While Glazer’s speech received criticism, it also found support from those advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza, including Stefanie Fox, the executive director of leftist group Jewish Voice for Peace. In an interview, Fox stated that Glazer wanted to apply the lessons of the Holocaust to present-day horrors and highlighted his alignment with Jews who stand in solidarity with Palestinians.
Despite the controversy surrounding Glazer’s speech, Cohen emphasized the importance of focusing on the film itself. He expressed disappointment that Glazer’s remarks had overshadowed the film’s success, as it had won a second Academy Award for best sound.
Ultimately, Cohen recognized that Glazer had the right to speak his mind, but he believed the timing and lack of context detracted from the film’s true impact. Cohen and Len Blavatnik, the film’s financier, intended for the movie to contribute to Holocaust education, and they remained proud of its accomplishments even amidst the controversy.