Guardian’s Harrowing Gaza Doc Gets World Premiere at Venice
New Documentary "NAZA" to Premiere at Venice Film Festival: What You Need to Know
The Big News in Simple Terms
Imagine a group of filmmakers who won the biggest award in movies (an Oscar) last year. Now they’ve made a new film that’s so important it’s the only documentary chosen to compete for the top prize at one of the world’s most famous film festivals. That’s exactly what’s happening with "NAZA."
Who Made This Film?
The Directors
- Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor — Two Israeli filmmakers
- They were part of the four-person team behind "No Other Land", which won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2025
The Production Team
- Produced by: The Guardian (a major British newspaper)
- Producer: Jim Wilson
- Executive Producer: Jonathan Glazer (director of the Oscar-winning film "The Zone of Interest")
Important Point: This is the same core team that brought you "The Zone of Interest" and "No Other Land" — films known for tackling difficult historical and political subjects with honesty and artistry.
What Does "NAZA" Mean?
The title isn’t just a random word — it’s actually a secret military code:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| NAZA | An Israeli military acronym used by intelligence officers |
| Purpose | Indicates the number of civilians expected to be killed in an airstrike |
| Tone | Used euphemistically (a polite word for something terrible) |
Important Point: The filmmakers chose this title deliberately to expose how military bureaucracy uses clean, technical language to hide the human cost of war.
What Is the Film About?
The documentary was filmed at night on rooftops in Tel Aviv and reveals:
- The systems behind Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza
- How decisions are made about targeting
- The calculated nature of civilian casualties
- The gap between official statements and what actually happens on the ground
The Investigation Behind the Film
The documentary builds on two years of investigative reporting (2023–2025) by:
- +972 Magazine (Israeli-Palestinian publication)
- Local Call (Hebrew-language outlet)
- The Guardian (British newspaper)
Why Venice Matters
The Festival
- Venice Film Festival = One of the "Big Three" film festivals (along with Cannes and Berlin)
- Golden Lion = The festival’s highest prize (like the Oscar for film festivals)
The Competition
- NAZA is the ONLY documentary competing for the Golden Lion this year
- This is extremely rare — documentaries usually compete in separate categories
Context: What Happened With Their Last Film?
To understand why this matters, look at what happened after their Oscar win:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | "No Other Land" wins Oscar for Best Documentary |
| Shortly after | Co-director Hamdan Ballal (Palestinian) is attacked by Israeli settlers and briefly arrested |
| After public outcry | The Academy (Oscars organization) apologizes for not naming Ballal or the film in their support statement |
Important Point: The directors face real-world risks for their work. This context shows why "NAZA" — made by the same team — is both brave and necessary.
Summary
- New documentary "NAZA" premieres at Venice Film Festival
- Only documentary competing for the Golden Lion (top prize)
- Directed by Oscar-winners Yuval Abraham & Rachel Szor
- Produced by The Guardian with the "Zone of Interest" team
- Title = Military code for expected civilian deaths
- Filmed secretly on Tel Aviv rooftops at night
- Based on 2+ years of investigative journalism
- Comes after their last film’s co-director was attacked and arrested
FAQ
What does "euphemistically" mean in this context?
It means the military uses a clean, technical-sounding word ("NAZA") to talk about something horrific — predicting how many innocent people will die — without saying it plainly.
Why film on rooftops at night?
Likely for safety and secrecy. The filmmakers were documenting sensitive military systems in Israel, so they needed to avoid detection while capturing the story.
Is this film anti-Israel?
The film is critical of military policies and systems, not necessarily of Israeli people. The directors themselves are Israeli. It examines how decisions are made that lead to civilian deaths.
Why does the Golden Lion matter?
Winning at Venice brings global attention, distribution deals, and credibility. It means more people will see the film and hear its findings.
Can I watch it now?
Not yet — it’s having its world premiere at Venice. After the festival, it will likely get theatrical release and/or streaming distribution. Keep an eye on The Guardian for updates.
This article explains a developing news story in simple terms. For the latest updates, check The Guardian’s coverage or the Venice Film Festival’s official announcements.