Natalie Portman joins stars backing Israeli director after Marseille festival controversy

Natalie Portman and Justine Triet are among several film stars supporting Israeli director Nadav Lapid after he pulled out of the Marseille International Film Festival jury.

Lapid stepped down after facing criticism from people supporting a cultural boycott of Israel. Reports say some people wanted him removed because his latest film, Yes, received some funding from an Israeli public fund.

The criticism comes even as the director has openly criticised the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the past. His new film is also critical of parts of Israeli society.

Producer Judith Lou Lévy said the funding only covered a small part of the movie’s budget. She also explained that the money came from an independent public film fund, not directly from the government.

After leaving the festival jury, Lapid said the situation made him feel unwanted in France. He said he did not understand why his presence at a film event had become such a problem.

Festival organisers defended the filmmaker and said it was wrong to blame artists for the actions of their country’s government.

Two open letters were later published in support of Lapid. One was signed by Portman, Triet, Michel Hazanavicius and Jacques Audiard. The letter said artists should not be judged only by their nationality.

Another letter, signed by more than 350 people from the French film industry, said filmmakers should not be excluded from spaces meant for discussion and creativity.

The Marseille International Film Festival will take place from July 7 to July 12.