VENICE, Italy: As the Venice Film Festival kicks off this week, activists hope to redirect the spotlight from the Hollywood stars arriving on the Lido to Gaza, with an anti-war demonstration planned for one of the festival’s biggest nights.
The group Venice4Palestine has called on the festival and its parent organization, the Venice Biennale, to end partnerships with groups supporting the Israeli government and withdraw invitations to actors Gerard Butler and Gal Gadot. On the festival’s opening day on Wednesday, protesters will hold a news conference in the morning front of the famed red carpet. Protesters also plan to march Saturday evening toward the festival, which is hosting the world premiere of Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” that night.
Filmmakers Ken Loach and Alice Rohrwacher were among the hundreds of signatories to the Venice4Palestine letter. Festival director Alberto Barbera told The Associated Press on Tuesday that while they feel for the victims in Gaza, the Biennale does not make political statements and does not boycott artists.
“We are a space for debate, for conversation,” Barbera said. “We are absolutely open to any kind of debate about this unacceptable situation in Palestine.”
Several reports suggested Gadot had dropped out of the festival following the scrutiny, but Barbera said the “Snow White” star was never planning to attend. Representatives for Gadot could not immediately be reached for comment.
Gadot and Butler are among the cast of Julian Schnabel’s film, “In the Hand of Dante,” which premieres at the festival out of competition Sept. 3.
Butler has not publicly commented on the war in Gaza but attended a Friends of the IDF Western Region Gala in 2018. Barbera said that he is still waiting to hear about Butler’s attendance. The Scottish actor’s representatives did not immediately respond to request for comment.
While the festival and the Biennale aren’t making political statements on Gaza, they are hosting the world premiere of Kaouther Ben Hania’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” about the death of a 6-year-old girl attempting to flee Gaza City with her family in early 2024. The film is playing in the main competition.
Last year, the festival programmed a showing in one of its sidebar sections of Israeli director Dani Rosenberg’s docudrama, “Of Dogs and Men,” about the aftermath of the Hamas 2023 attack into Israel.
“We are living in very complicated and dangerous and frightening times,” Barbera said. “And cinema reflects this kind of situation. A lot of filmmakers are so sensible to talk about these huge and dramatic problems and issues.”
On Monday, Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza Strip, killing at least 20 people including five journalists and wounding scores more. It was among the deadliest of multiple Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the 22-month war.
The Health Ministry said Sunday that at least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed in the war. The war began when Hamas-led militants abducted 251 hostages and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals, but 50 remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive.
Last year, facing the threat of protests, the artist and curators representing Israel at the Venice Biennale kept the Israeli pavilion exhibit closed, saying they would only open it if there were a ceasefire in Gaza.
Venice Film Festival set to begin as activists hope to shift the spotlight to Gaza
https://arab.news/g4myd
Venice Film Festival set to begin as activists hope to shift the spotlight to Gaza
- Venice4Palestine has called on the festival to end partnerships with groups supporting the Israeli government and withdraw invitations to actors Gerard Butler and Gal Gadot
- Gerard Butler has not publicly commented on the war in Gaza but attended a Friends of the IDF Western Region Gala in 2018
Mini op-ed: Coffee, fasting and finding your rhythm this Ramadan
DUBAI: Ramadan is a month of reflection, balance and listening more closely to our bodies. It is also a time when everyday rituals, including coffee, naturally shift. Rather than giving it up completely, many people simply change how, when and what they drink. And that is where a little understanding can go a long way.
There is no single “right” way to enjoy coffee during Ramadan. Taste preferences, caffeine sensitivity, work schedules and sleep patterns are deeply personal. The key is finding what supports you during the fast.
Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal before fasting begins, is often where people think carefully about caffeine. Some find a small coffee helps them feel alert through the morning. Others prefer to avoid it so they can return to sleep more easily after the meal. How you metabolize caffeine plays a big role here, some people feel energized for hours, while others crash quickly or feel jittery.
Choosing a lower-caffeine option can help. Coffees made from 100 percent Arabica beans naturally contain less caffeine than Robusta, while still offering plenty of flavor and aroma.
Iftar, traditionally broken with water and dates, is usually followed by a light meal or soup. Coffee often comes later, once the body has rehydrated and blood sugar levels have stabilized. Enjoyed mindfully, it can be part of a beautiful evening ritual rather than a stimulant.
One of the most important things to remember during Ramadan is hydration. Coffee should never replace water, especially when fasting hours are long. Drinking enough water between iftar and suhoor helps reduce fatigue and headaches far more effectively than extra caffeine.
Added sugar in coffee can also cause blood sugar spikes, followed by dips in energy. If you enjoy sweetness, try reducing it slightly or pairing coffee with food to soften the impact.
If you are worried about caffeine withdrawal during Ramadan, decaffeinated coffee can be a very helpful bridge. High-quality decaf, such as coffee processed using the Swiss water method (which avoids chemical solvents), retains flavor while removing most of the caffeine.
Ramadan is not about restriction for restriction’s sake. It is about awareness, intention and care, including care for your own body. Coffee can absolutely remain part of that journey, as long as it’s enjoyed thoughtfully.
Whether you choose to drink less, switch origins, reduce caffeine or simply slow down and savor it more, the best coffee choice this Ramadan is the one that supports your rhythm, your rest and your well-being.
Here are a few RAW coffees that feel gentle, balanced and comforting during Ramadan:
RITUAL Blend
Created at the request of many customers from the Levant, this is our only blend that combines Arabica with a small amount of Robusta. The result is a bold, full body with very low acidity. Smooth and grounding, it works beautifully as espresso, Moka pot or Turkish coffee, and pairs well with milk.
Brazil — Serra Dos Ciganos (Single Origin)
A beautifully approachable coffee with tasting notes of roasted hazelnuts, nougat, baker’s chocolate and pear. Comforting and elegant, especially when brewed.
Guatemala — Pampojila Natural
Often chosen as a “breakfast coffee”, this is gently sweet with notes of brown sugar, nuts and orange, offering a medium body and soft fruit character.
Mexico — Mazateca
Another favourite for earlier in the day, with flavors of orange, malted barley and cacao, balanced, warm and easy to drink.
Kim Thompson is the founder and director of Culture & Brand at RAW Coffee Co.
