NAZA Documentary Secures Global Release Amid Israeli Political Backlash

Key points

• NAZA premieres theatrically in 56 countries on September 28, with a North American rollout starting at the New York Film Festival.
• The film features anonymous interviews with 24 Israeli military and intelligence personnel detailing the use of AI systems like 'Lavender' to target civilians.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed legislation to revoke the directors' citizenship, while right-wing protesters have issued death threats against their families.
• The Guardian will make the documentary available for free online in late November to ensure global access.
• The film won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a record 25-minute standing ovation.

Background

NAZA builds on investigative journalism published by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call between 2023 and 2025. It is the second major documentary by directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, who previously won the Oscar for Best Documentary for No Other Land in 2024. The film’s release follows a period of heightened international attention to the Gaza conflict and previous controversies surrounding the directors' work.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and Deadline emphasize the logistical success of the global distribution deal, highlighting the unprecedented free online release. The Hollywood Reporter focuses on the commercial rollout across 56 territories. The New Yorker provides a critical analysis, framing the film as an ethical imperative similar to Claude Lanzmann's Shoah, while noting criticisms from some Israeli media regarding its reliance on anonymous sources. All sources agree on the severity of the political backlash in Israel, with The Guardian and Deadline detailing the specific threats from the government and far-right activists.

Why it matters

The global release of NAZA challenges the official Israeli narrative regarding the war in Gaza by exposing internal military protocols. The intense political reaction, including proposed citizenship revocation, indicates the film's potential to shift public discourse and legal frameworks regarding press freedom and military accountability in Israel.

What to watch

The film will expand to Los Angeles and other US cities on October 9, followed by a national rollout. The Guardian is exploring methods to screen the film within the occupied Palestinian territories. The free online release is scheduled for late November.