Gaza Documentary NAZA Beats Avengers Endgame Encore at Italian Box Office
“As long as theatres want to show it, NAZA will continue to be screened,” Andrea Romeo, founder of Italian distributor I Wonder Pictures, told La Repubblica regarding the documentary’s theatrical run. Directed by Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, the 80-minute documentary NAZA earned a reported €1.1 million at the Italian box office by Tuesday after opening on 28 September, outperforming a rerelease of Marvel’s Avengers Endgame: Encore, which grossed €356,000 over the same timeframe according to The Guardian.
The film examines military targeting systems and artificial intelligence used in the Gaza war through interviews with 24 Israeli intelligence officers, soldiers, and whistleblowers. Filmed at night on Tel Aviv rooftops, the production builds on investigative reporting published between 2023 and 2025 by +972 Magazine, Local Call, and The Guardian, which co-produced the film. Jonathan Glazer executive produced, while James Wilson produced the film. The documentary premiered at the Venice Film Festival, receiving a record-breaking 25-minute standing ovation and winning the Special Jury Prize.
NAZA Expands to US Cities and 55 Territories
Following its Italian box office performance, NAZA will expand to Los Angeles and other U.S. cities on 9 October before launching a national rollout. MK2 Films has partnered for theatrical releases across 55 other territories, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, France, Spain, Germany, and the Middle East, as reported by The Guardian. After completing its cinema runs, the documentary will stream for free in late November on The Guardian‘s website as part of the organization’s commitment to the dissemination of independent journalism.
The film’s title originates from nezek agavi, a Hebrew term for “collateral damage” used by the IDF to describe incidental harm to civilians resulting from a strike on a military objective. Harry Davies, a Guardian investigations correspondent and producer on the film, stated that the project is grounded in three years of reporting while functioning as a cinematic work designed for global audiences.
Political Condemnation and Legal Threats in Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the directors in a video posted on Telegram, accusing the film of contributing to global antisemitic incitement and portraying the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as war criminals. Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar stated he would immediately act to revoke the citizenship of Abraham and Szor. Conversely, international filmmakers including Ken Loach, Joshua Oppenheimer, Paul Laverty, Laura Poitras, Nan Goldin, Richard Eyre, and Hanif Kureishi issued statements defending the directors, with Oppenheimer characterizing the government response as an intimidation campaign.
In an official response, the IDF criticized NAZA as a distorted and disingenuous depiction of military target planning. The military stated that assessing expected civilian harm is a legal requirement designed to mitigate civilian risk, and argued that the film relies on manipulative editing and factual errors while failing to submit allegations for examination prior to publication.
Frequently Asked Questions About NAZA
What does the acronym NAZA mean in the documentary?
NAZA stands for nezek agavi, a Hebrew military term meaning collateral damage that refers to incidental harm to civilians resulting from a strike on a military objective.
How were the interview subjects protected during filming?
Directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor filmed 24 Israeli soldiers and intelligence personnel on Tel Aviv rooftops at night, using digital alterations to conceal their faces and voices.
What awards did the documentary win at film festivals?
NAZA premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a 25-minute standing ovation and won the Special Jury Prize.
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