NAZA: Documentary on Gaza beats Avengers re-release to top Italian box office

Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 10/01/2026 - 10:15 Award-winning documentary smashes Avengers: Endgame Encore, with screenings in other countries due this month

Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham on stage at the NAZA premiere during the 64th New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall in New York City, 26 September (AFP/Dimitrios Kambouris) Off

Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor's NAZA has beaten a re-release of Avengers Endgame to top the box office in Italy, debuting at number one.

The documentary, which focuses on testimony of Israelis killing Palestinians in Gaza, won a special jury prize at the Venice Film Festival and grossed roughly €1.1m ($1.2m) on Monday and Tuesday.

By contrast, Avengers: Endgame Encore, an extended re-release of the 2019 Marvel film, managed only €356,000 ($404,000) during the same period in Italy.

NAZA, directed by Oscar-winning filmmakers Szor and Abraham, examines the AI-powered systems used in Israel's war in Gaza and allegations that high numbers of Palestinian civilian deaths were factored into military targeting decisions.

The documentary features interviews with 24 Israeli military and intelligence insiders, whose identities remained anonymous.

NAZA drew a record-breaking 24-and-a-half-minute standing ovation at its world premiere, the longest at Venice, according to Variety.

The reception surpassed the 22-minute ovation given last year to Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab, which tells the story of the five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in January 2024.

Since NAZA won the Special Jury Prize on Saturday, Israeli politicians, journalists and members of the public have attacked Szor and Abraham, accusing them of treason and calling for their citizenship to be revoked.

No Other Land director recounts ‘horrific’ raid on his home by Israeli forces Read More »

Last month, Culture Minister Miki Zohar called the film "despicable" and said he would "act immediately to revoke the Israeli citizenship of these despicable creators on the grounds of treason against the state".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined Zohar in attacking the filmmakers, saying he would introduce two bills targeting those who "defame" the Israeli military.

Netanyahu said the first bill "would revoke the citizenship of anyone who defames soldiers", while the second would increase "twentyfold the amount in damages for which they can be sued for defamation".

"They have no place among us," Netanyahu said of those who "defame" the Israeli army.

The Israeli military's Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has ordered legal action against Szor and Abraham with the help of the Shin Bet, according to Israeli media.

NAZA will go on general release across the US after 9 October, and across 55 other countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, France and the Middle East.

Israel's genocide in Gaza News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0