Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza, Mohammed Abu Salmiya: A new Israeli massacre against the starved, with 37 starved palestinians killed and more than 270 wounded in less than two hours
Sheikh Qassim: No one should expect us to make peace or surrender
Sheikh Qassem: Anyone demanding disarmament today is effectively calling for handing over weapons to 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: We will not accept that Lebanon be annexed to 'Israel' even if the whole world unites for this, and we will not accept that it be taken hostage as long as there is a single living soul among us
Sheikh Qassem: Lebanon is facing an existential threat involving all its sects and regions
Sheikh Qassem: The continued occupation of the five sites is a prelude to expansion, and this is the plan that is sought to be achieved by stripping Lebanon of its power
Sheikh Qassem: Tom Barrack was surprised that the official Lebanese position was unified on the necessity of stopping the aggression before discussing the issue of weapons
Sheikh Qassem: Former US envoy Hochstein gave a clear guarantee regarding 'Israel's' commitment to implementing the agreement
Sheikh Qassem: The issue of the resistance's weapons is purely a Lebanese affair and the Israeli enemy has nothing to do with it, neither directly nor indirectly
Sheikh Qassem: We do not prioritize any course over the other

Film icons mourn Fatima Hassouna, denounce siege on Gaza at Cannes

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 May 2025 18:59
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Over 370 artists, including Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, honor Gaza journalist Fatima Hassouna and condemn Israeli war crimes at Cannes 2024.

Listen
  • x
  • Film icons mourn Fatima Hassouna, denounce siege on Gaza at Cannes
    Jury president Juliette Binoche, fourth from left, and jury members Hong Sang-soo, from left, Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, Alba Rohrwacher, Dieudo Hamadi, Payal Kapadia, Leila Slimani, and Carlos Reygadas pose for photographers during the opening ceremony red carpet of the 78th International Film Festival, Cannes, southern France, Tuesday, May 13, 2025 (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

The Cannes Film Festival this week served as a major platform to show solidarity with Gaza as over 370 actors, directors, and industry professionals signed a petition condemning the Israeli occupation’s assault on Gaza and mourning the killing of Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna. 

Hassouna, the young photojournalist featured in the Cannes-premiered documentary Put Your Soul in Your Hand and Walk, was killed alongside 10 members of her family shortly after learning her work would be screened at the prestigious festival. 

French actress Juliette Binoche, chair of the Cannes jury, delivered an emotional tribute to Hassouna during the festival’s opening ceremony. "She should have been here tonight with us," Binoche said, holding back tears. Although initially appearing hesitant to endorse the petition, Binoche later added her name, joining the growing list of signatories. 

'Shameful silence'

The petition was spearheaded by organizers seeking to amplify calls for justice amid “shameful silence” within the film industry regarding the Israeli regime’s siege on Gaza. 

Among the prominent figures lending their names are Rooney Mara, US director Jim Jarmusch, French actor Omar Sy, and Schindler’s List star Ralph Fiennes. Other high-profile signatories include Richard Gere, Mark Ruffalo, Guy Pearce, Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem, David Cronenberg, Pedro Almodóvar, Alfonso Cuarón, and Mike Leigh. 

"We are ashamed of our industry’s failure to speak out," the letter reads, pointing to what the signatories describe as a complicit silence in the face of overwhelming civilian suffering in the besieged Palestinian enclave. 

Related News

Famine tightens grip on Gaza: 89 children among 154 starved to death

Palestine Action wins bid to defy UK ban under anti-terrorism laws

French actor Camille Cottin and American filmmaker Michael Moore also joined the list of signatories this week, highlighting the momentum building within global artistic circles to confront the devastating toll of the war on Gaza. 

Aggression disproportionately targeting civilians

In her Tuesday speech at Cannes, Binoche also acknowledged the Israeli captives taken by the Palestinian resistance during the October 7, 2023, operation, which marked the beginning of the ongoing war. However, the letter’s signatories emphasized that the occupation’s relentless bombardment and blockade, now in its seventh month, have inflicted disproportionate harm on Palestinian civilians and must be unequivocally condemned. 

Hassouna, 25, is the subject of a new documentary titled Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk, directed by Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi. 

Hassouna and ten relatives were killed in an Israeli air raid on her family home in northern Gaza last month, only one day after the documentary was revealed as part of the ACID Cannes selection.

Farsi welcomed the impact of her film but urged Cannes Festival organisers to condemn "Israel's" continuous assault on Gaza.

De Niro urges global action in defense of liberty

During the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, American actor Robert De Niro launched a scathing attack on US President Donald Trump, calling him a threat to global stability.

Receiving the honorary Palme d'Or, De Niro delivered an impassioned speech, warning that Trump's policies are not only a problem for the United States but for the entire world.

In a powerful speech, Robert De Niro declared that art unites people and threatens autocrats by seeking truth and embracing diversity.

Condemning Trump’s actions as “unacceptable", he urged global action, not passive observation, calling on people to organize, protest, and vote in defense of liberty.

  • Palestine
  • Cannes
  • Cannes Film festival
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • Israeli occupation forces

Most Read

Given ample indications Epstein was collating sexual blackmail material on powerful figures for intelligence agencies, comments made by Mirage's cofounder to Ynet take on a chilling character. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Zionist spies innovate AI sexual blackmail tech

  • Analysis
  • 27 Jul 2025
Houthi supporters display a giant Palestinian flag during a weekly anti-US and anti-'Israel' rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday March, 28, 2025 (AP)

Open borders so Yemenis march by hundreds of thousands: Al-Houthi

  • Politics
  • 24 Jul 2025
Lebanese Freedom Fighter Georges Abdallah, who was serving a life in Paris, speaks to supporters upon his arrival at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, July 25, 2025 (AP)

With resistance, road home is never lost: Georges Abdallah from Beirut

  • Politics
  • 25 Jul 2025
A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Lawmakers attend a session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in occupied al-Quds, Monday, July 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Tensions erupt between Smotrich and army chief over Gaza strategy

The spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, giving a statement on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
Politics

Yemen targets Ben Gurion Airport in defense of Gaza

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrives for the EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting at the EU Council building in Brussels, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' summons Dutch ambassador over Amsterdam's ban on ministers

Palestinians collect aid that landed in the Mediterranean Sea after being airdropped over central Gaza, at the shore of Zawaida, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli plans to annex Gaza illegal under international law: Norway

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS