Audiences were shocked when Israeli director Nadav Lapid criticized the festival for screening the contentious Hindi-language film The Kashmir Files during his speech at the International Film Festival of India’s closing ceremony in Goa.
While praising the quality of most of the 15 films in competition, Lapid said on behalf of the jury. I quote “We were all of us disturbed and shocked by the 15th film, The Kashmir Files, that felt to us like a propaganda, vulgar movie inappropriate for an artistic competitive section of such a prestigious film festival.”
He continued: “I feel totally comfortable to share openly these feelings here with you on stage since the spirit of the festival can truly accept also a critical discussion, which is essential for art and for life.”
