Guardian’s Urgent Gaza Doc Lands Explosive Venice Premiere
New Documentary "NAZA" Lifts the Curtain on How Gaza Airstrike Decisions Are Made
Think of this like a behind-the-scenes look at a very serious, real-life control room—except the decisions made there change thousands of lives forever.
What Is "NAZA"?
NAZA is a brand-new documentary film that had its world premiere at the famous Venice Film Festival. It’s not just any film—it’s the only documentary competing for the festival’s top prize, the Golden Lion.
In simple terms:
- It’s a true-story film (documentary) made by award-winning journalists and filmmakers.
- It shows how Israel’s military decides to bomb targets in Gaza—and how many civilians might die before the bombs even fall.
- It was filmed at night on rooftops in Tel Aviv, giving a rare, up-close view of the people and systems making those life-and-death choices.
Who Made This Film?
The film comes from a powerhouse team of creators who’ve already made history:
| Role | Name | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| Directors | Yuval Abraham & Rachel Szor | Israeli filmmakers who won an Oscar in 2025 for their last documentary, No Other Land |
| Producers | Jim Wilson & The Guardian | The Guardian is a world-famous news organization; Wilson helps bring big stories to screen |
| Executive Producer | Jonathan Glazer | Directed The Zone of Interest (Oscar-winning film about the Holocaust) |
Fun fact: Abraham and Szor are two of the four directors behind No Other Land—a film called “sombre, sobering work” by top critics.
Why Is This Film Such a Big Deal?
Here’s why people are talking about it:
- First of its kind: It’s the only documentary in the main competition at Venice this year.
- Based on years of secret investigation: The film builds on original reporting from 2023–2025 by:
- +972 Magazine (Israeli-Palestinian investigative outlet)
- Local Call (Hebrew-language news site)
- The Guardian (UK-based global news)
- Shows the system, not just the explosions: It doesn’t just show damage—it reveals how the decision-making machine works.
What Does "NAZA" Actually Mean?
Important Point
“NAZA” is not just a title—it’s a real military code word.
According to The Guardian, NAZA is an Israeli military acronym used by intelligence officers. It stands for a euphemistic (soft-sounding) term that means:
“The number of civilians we expect to kill in this airstrike.”
So when officers type “NAZA: 15” into a system, they’re approving a strike knowing ~15 civilians will likely die.
Where Did the Information Come From?
The film didn’t just appear—it’s built on years of brave, hidden reporting. Here’s the timeline:
- 2023–2025: Journalists at +972 Magazine, Local Call, and The Guardian secretly investigate how airstrike decisions are made.
- They uncover: Internal military systems, codes like “NAZA,” and how civilian death counts are calculated in advance.
- 2024–2025: Directors Abraham & Szor turn this reporting into a film—shot at night on Tel Aviv rooftops to avoid detection.
- 2026: The finished film premieres at Venice Film Festival, competing for the Golden Lion.
The Team’s Previous Film: No Other Land
Before NAZA, the same directors made No Other Land—a documentary about Palestinian villagers in the West Bank losing their homes to Israeli military zones.
- Won the 2025 Oscar for Best Documentary
- Directed by four people: Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor
- Called a “sombre, sobering work” by The Guardian’s chief film critic
What Happened After Their Oscar Win?
Sadly, the story didn’t end at the awards ceremony.
Important Point
Shortly after winning the Oscar, Hamdan Ballal (a Palestinian co-director) was attacked by Israeli settlers and briefly arrested.
- The Academy (Oscars organization) initially failed to name him or the film in a support statement.
- After backlash, the Academy apologized for not standing up for him properly.
This real-life drama shows why films like NAZA matter—they’re made by people risking their safety to tell the truth.
Summary: Why Should You Care?
| Key Takeaway | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| NAZA reveals a hidden system | Shows how civilian deaths are planned for, not just accidents |
| Made by Oscar winners | Trusted, credible filmmakers with a track record of truth-telling |
| Based on years of secret reporting | Not opinions—verified investigative journalism |
| Premiering at Venice (top film festival) | Global spotlight on a story many want hidden |
| The title is a real military code | “NAZA” = expected civilian death count—chilling and real |
This isn’t just a movie. It’s a window into a secret decision-making process that affects millions.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Is this film anti-Israel?
No. It’s made by Israeli directors (Abraham & Szor) and based on reporting by Israeli and international journalists. It examines military systems and decisions, not the entire country or people.
What does “euphemistically” mean in this context?
It means the military uses a mild, bureaucratic word (“NAZA”) to describe something horrific (killing civilians)—making it sound routine instead of tragic.
Can I watch it now?
As of the Venice premiere (August 2026), it’s just debuting at the festival. It will likely come to theaters, streaming, or TV later—keep an eye on The Guardian for updates.
Why film on rooftops at night?
To avoid detection while capturing sensitive locations and conversations. It adds tension—and shows the risks the filmmakers took.
What’s the Golden Lion?
It’s the top prize at the Venice Film Festival—like “Best Picture” at the Oscars, but for the world’s oldest film festival. Very prestigious.
Final Thought: NAZA pulls back the curtain on a system that calculates human lives like numbers on a spreadsheet. Whether you agree with the politics or not, understanding how these decisions are made is essential for any informed human being.