Rivlin praises Israeli film industry amid attacks from culture minister

Hosting a delegation of leading Hollywood producers and executives at his Jerusalem residence, President Reuven Rivlin praises the Israeli film and television industry and its growing global influence in recent years.

“For many years, we have been watching your shows, and now you are also watching Israeli shows. We even have Israeli superheroes,” Rivlin told the group.

Asked about yesterday’s award for the Israeli film “Foxtrot” at the Venice Film Festival and the criticism leveled against the decision by Culture Minister Miri Regev, Rivlin said, “I did not watch the film, but I’m going to watch it, I do not know if I will like it, but I will watch it, as I try to watch every Israeli film.”

“In general,” said the president, “I am a great fan of Israeli cinema, which is a symbol of freedom of expression and the strength of Israeli democracy. Israeli cinema is one of the most important ambassadors of Israel in the world because of its quality, and because of the way it reflects different aspects of life in Israel, with all the challenges and magic within it.”

Regev had slammed the film over what she saw as a negative portrayal of the Israeli army. “It’s outrageous that Israeli artists contribute to the incitement of the young generation against the most moral army in the world by spreading lies in the guise of art,” she said in a statement yesterday.