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Row breaking out between Ken Loach and Edinburgh Film Festival organisers
Peter Dominiczak20 May 2009
A row has threatened to engulf the Edinburgh International Film Festival after director Ken Loach pressured organisers into returning £300 grant from an Israeli Embassy.
The payment was intended to enable Tali Shalom Ezer, a graduate of Tel Aviv University, to travel to Scotland for a screening of her new film, Surrogate.
Mr Loach, whose acclaimed new film, Looking for Eric, has been one of the highlights of this year's Cannes Film Festival, on Monday urged filmgoers to boycott the festival in light of the cash award.
Mr Loach has been an outspoken critic of Israel's policies in Lebanon and Gaza and took the action after days of protest from pro-Palistinian organisations.
He said: “The massacres and state terrorism make this money unacceptable. With regret, I must urge all who might consider visiting the festival to show their support for the Palestinian nation and stay away.”
The festival's organisers took the controversial decision to return the money to the Israeli embassy shortly after Mr Loach's comments.
In a statement organisers said they accepted Mr Loach spoke “on behalf of the film community, therefore we will be returning the funding issued by the Israeli Embassy”.
Sir Jeremy Isaacs, the former chief executive of Channel Four, accused the festival's organisers of making an “appalling decision” and called on them to rescind it.
He said: “The idea that Ken Loach should lend himself to the denial of a film-maker's right to show her work is absolutely appalling. I would like to think this appalling decision will be rescinded. They must not allow someone who has no real position, no rock to stand on, to interfere with their programming.”
Ms Ezer is seen as one of the brightest Israeli talents in film and recently one an award at an international women's film festival.
Ken Loach's new film has been lauded by critics at Cannes and features former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona.
Lord Janner of Braunstone, former chairman of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “The festival should reconsider this boycott and should pay Ms Ezer's travel costs out of its own budget.”
Reader views (4)
I need to contact Ken. His phone numbers he gave me a few years ago are out of date, as are my contacts with his wife, Leslie. He knows that I have paid a high price for things I believe in. Ineed to talk to him to find out whether any of his current concerns are anything I could contribute to (or, I suppose, could contribute to my own sense of having had any sort of meaning)
Mike Riddall
- Mike Riddall, Ipswich England, 03/06/2009 22:50
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One day the throat cutters will come for Mr Loach and guilt ridden whitey, then you'll get the appreciation that's coming to you from the muslims
- Harry, toronto, Canada, 21/05/2009 10:59
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Thanks to all of the Palestinian supporters, it amazing to hear so much venom from a person who call himselves "cultured" well the only thing I can see and hear from Mr Loach is that he is defiantly HIZBALAH now. (You sound even worst then them) and very soon you all going to drown hear in the UK in a pool of Islamism yes that is the Madison. But I have to thank all of you for reminding us that we are Jews, and we must do better and stay better then all of you, because every time we "fail" all of you are screaming and shouting "hay you Jew, you suppose to be the chosen one so behave like one now" so we are trying to be better and better. We know we have to be better it's in our blood and that why you keep reminding us. Thank you again we will never forget that we are Jewish. I'd like to say Just a small thing. Remember when Europe use to have something like 10 or 15 million Jews? Yes at that time Europe was very cultural and family oriented, and most of all decent. Well they have been replaced by good few million of Muslims all I can say is good like Europe and god help you now.
- Uzi, Manchester, 21/05/2009 00:45
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Sir Isaacs what about freedom of speech!!! You are insulting and darn right rude. " No real position, no rock to stand on" Ken Loach has a right to say what he said.
- Karenf, london, 20/05/2009 11:32
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