Award-winning British filmmakers Ken Loach, Rebecca O’Brien and Paul Laverty have donated proceeds from screenings of their latest film “I, Daniel Blake” to the BDS movement, as a gesture of support for the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality.
Award-winning British filmmakers Ken Loach, Rebecca O’Brien and Paul Laverty of Sixteen Films have donated all proceeds from screenings of their latest film in Israeli venues to the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), as a gesture of support for the Palestinian struggle for freedom, justice and equality. Vincent Maraval, from the sales company Wildbunch, was also instrumental in making this happen.
The team’s film “I, Daniel Blake” was screened in Israel against their wishes.
Inspired by the cultural boycott of apartheid South Africa, the BDS movement appeals to conscientious artists to refrain from performing in Israel and to refuse participation in events sponsored by the Israeli government or entities complicit in Israel’s egregious human rights violations, until Israel meets its obligations under international law. The BDS movement does not expect artists who heed the Palestinian call for cultural boycott to do anything beyond their control to isolate Israel’s regime of oppression.
This team at Sixteen Films creates films that bear witness to grave injustices and brim with integrity, love and human solidarity. They look at the brutality of power head on, and never lose hope in the capacity of decent people acting together to transform the world, to make it kinder and more beautiful.
Ken, Rebecca and Paul — working together as film director, producer and screenwriter — embody all the integrity and generosity of their deeply moving and unforgettable films.
The Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC) is the largest coalition in Palestinian civil society. It leads and supports the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
(Edited for the IMEMC by c h r i s @ i m e m c . o r g)
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