Oct. 15, 2024
The Grierson Trust withdrew Kapadia’s patronage earlier today over the posts.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia has issued an
unequivocal apology following backlash over his social media activity related
to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Kapadia, known for his acclaimed documentaries Amy
and Senna, faced criticism for sharing posts that were deemed
antisemitic. The Grierson Trust, a prominent organization celebrating
documentary filmmaking, rescinded his patronage shortly after his appointment
due to the controversy.
In his apology, Kapadia expressed deep regret, stating
he was “mortified by the hurt and offence” caused by his retweets. He
acknowledged that the posts could be perceived as antisemitic or even
justifying violence, which was not his intention. Kapadia emphasized his
commitment to anti-racism and condemned all forms of antisemitism.
The filmmaker explained that his actions were driven
by a passionate concern for the suffering of Palestinian and Lebanese people,
but he admitted that his reposts were made hastily and without due
consideration. Kapadia has since deleted his X (formerly Twitter) account and
reiterated his apology, hoping to move forward from the incident with a renewed
focus on promoting understanding and tolerance.