Amos Gitai’s ‘Why War,’ with Irene Jacob and Mathieu Amalric, Debuts Clip

Variety has previewed the first clip from “Why War,” a film written and directed by Amos Gitai. The Israeli filmmaker’s latest work features Irène Jacob, Mathieu Amalric, Micha Lescot, and Jérôme Kircher. The film is set to have its world premiere on August 31 at the Venice Film Festival, though it will not be competing in the official selection.

The film draws inspiration from the historic correspondence between Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud on how humanity might avoid war. Additionally, it incorporates Virginia Woolf’s “Three Guineas,” which delves into the interconnectedness of power dynamics and sexuality. Susan Sontag’s essay, “Regarding the Pain of Others,” also influences the film by addressing the imagery of war.

In a statement, Gitai explained, “When the attack on October 7 occurred, I found myself revisiting certain texts to understand the roots of humanity’s inclination towards war and violence. This exchange of letters became a revelation in that search.”

He added, “This dialogue between Einstein and Freud fits into my broader research on preventing armed conflicts and seeking peaceful solutions to reconcile differing viewpoints. Around their extraordinary conversation, I constructed a poetic film where war is never depicted visually.”

Gitai also noted, “I’ve lived amidst ethnic, religious, and political divisions, always striving to remain unbiased. Cinema, for me, has a civic mission. That’s what I aim to convey through my cinematography. We live in a world where dialogue is increasingly rare, fostering extreme positions as seen worldwide. This film doesn’t offer answers but encourages self-reflection.”

He continued, “I want to build bridges, not burn them. I believe artists, particularly filmmakers, should never succumb to divisions. Prior to October 7, I knew Israel was in a volatile situation, but even that awareness didn’t lessen the trauma. For years, I’ve tried to promote dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians through art. Historically, artists were seen as healers, and I aim to revive that role.”

“Why War” is produced by Agav Films and Elefant Films, in collaboration with Gad Fiction, United King Films, Indiana Production, and Live and Survive.

Gitai has previously competed at the Venice Film Festival with films such as “Berlin-Jerusalem” (1989), “Eden” (2001), “Alila” (2003), “Promised Land” (2004), “Ana Arabia” (2013), “Le dernier jour d’Yitzhak Rabin” (2015), and “Laila in Haifa” (2020). His work has also been featured in competition at Cannes, including “Kadosh” (1999), “Kippur” (2000), “Kedma” (2002), and “Free Zone” (2005).