“No to Censorship”, says festival and Italian industry body.

The National Union of Italian Film Critics and the Venice International Film Critics’ Week have jointly condemned the detention of The Insult director Ziad Doueiri.

The filmmaker was detained by authorities last night on his return to Lebanon after screening his film at the Venice Film Festival.

A joint statement read:

“The National Union of Italian Film Critics (SNCCI) firmly condemns the intimidations and what happened to film director Ziad Doueiri, whose work The Insult has just received the Best Actor Award (for Kamel El Basha) at the 74th Venice International Film Festival.

“Doueiri, who also made West Beirut, was questioned, and held by police upon his arrival in Lebanon. Hours later the charges were dropped and his passport given back to him. All this mere hours before his film is released in Lebanese cinemas. This is an unacceptable act of intimidation. An intolerable abuse of power.

“The National Union of Italian Film Critics and the Venice International Critics’ Week side with Ziad Doueiri and all those who made the realization of The Insult possible, iterating their unequivocal “No!” against all forms of censorship and intimidation towards film-makers, cinema, and art.

“The National Union of Italian Film Critics states that the freedom of expression and speech cannot be violated.

No to censorship.

No to menaces.

No to fear.”

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