BAFTA winner James Wilson urges support for Gaza amidst speech

SHAH ALAM - James Wilson, the producer behind the acclaimed Polish historical drama "The Zone of Interest", made a powerful statement regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza while accepting the British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) award for Best Film Not in the English Language category.

The compelling film, which delves into the complexities of evil on the fringes of Auschwitz, secured a triumphant victory at the BAFTAs, clinching three prestigious awards including Best Sound, Best British Film, and the coveted Best Film Not in the English Language category.

During his acceptance speech, Wilson seized the opportunity to address what he referred to as ‘selective empathy’ in times of conflict, drawing poignant parallels between the narrative of his Holocaust-themed production and the recent onslaught in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces.

Reflecting on the themes explored in ‘The Zone of Interest,’ Wilson shared insights from a friend who resonated deeply with the film, which challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and expand their perspectives.

“A friend wrote to me, after seeing the film the other day, that he could not stop thinking about the walls we construct in our lives which we chose not to look behind.

“Those walls are not new from before or during or since the Holocaust, and it seems stark right now that we should care about innocent people being killed in Gaza or Yemen, in the same way we think about innocent people killed in Mariupol or in Israel," he said.

Expressing gratitude for the recognition bestowed upon the film, Wilson highlighted the importance of acknowledging and empathising with the innocent lives lost in regions affected by conflict, regardless of geographical or political affiliations.

“Thank you for recognizing a film that asks you to think in those spaces,” Wilson added.

The BAFTA Awards is the most coveted honours in the British movie industry, presented annually.