March 29, 2025: A group of Hollywood actors and Oscar voters has strongly criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for its lack of support following the recent assault and arrest of Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal. The criticism comes after Ballal, who co-directed the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land, was attacked and detained by the Israeli military in the West Bank.
Around 600 Oscar voters, including prominent figures like Ava DuVernay, Olivia Colman, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, Emma Thompson, and Richard Gere, have signed an open letter addressing AMPAS’s response to the incident. The letter was updated on Friday and states that it is “indefensible” for an organization like AMPAS to honor a film with an award in early March and then fail to defend the filmmakers just weeks later.
The Academy’s response, led by Bill Kramer and Janet Yang, was perceived as inadequate. In their statement, they mentioned that Ballal’s assault involved “many unique viewpoints,” a comment that has been widely criticized as insufficient. The open letter from the Hollywood stars and Oscar voters condemned the Academy for not standing behind a filmmaker who had brought forward difficult truths about the Palestinian struggle.
The incident occurred in the village of Susiya, Ballal’s hometown, where he was confronted by Israeli settlers. During the altercation, Ballal was assaulted, suffering head and stomach injuries, and was later detained by the Israeli military, where he was zip-tied and blindfolded. He was released the following day. Co-director Yuval Abraham confirmed the details of the assault.
The letter from the signatories emphasized that Ballal’s assault was not just an attack on one filmmaker but a broader attack on those who speak out and document controversial or uncomfortable realities. The filmmakers of No Other Land had previously used their platform to highlight the struggles of Palestinian families facing displacement as their homes are destroyed by the Israeli government.
The open letter stated, “We will continue to watch over this film team. Winning an Oscar has put their lives in increasing danger, and we will not mince words when the safety of fellow artists is at stake.”
By signing the letter, the Hollywood figures are urging AMPAS to provide more than just ceremonial recognition but to also stand up for the safety and rights of filmmakers who dare to tell stories that challenge power and expose uncomfortable truths.