Cannes Mourns: Gaza Photojournalist's Death Overshadows Film Festival

Cannes Film Festival: Director Mourns Palestinian Photojournalist Killed in Gaza The Cannes Film Festival, a celebration of cinema, provided a stark backdrop for a somber press conference on May 23, 2025. The focus was not on the films themselves, but on the tragic death of Fatima Hassouna, a Palestinian photojournalist featured in the film "Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk." Director Sepideh Farsi shared her grief, stating, “Fatima was supposed to be with me here to present the film. She said she would come. And she was killed a day later by two missiles.” Hassouna's death highlights the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, echoed this sentiment, adding, “It’s surreal for me to see all this festivity while over there... about 400 Palestinians are killed every week.” Amande Bazzerole, Head of Mission for MSF in Gaza, described the Israeli government's plan to distribute aid only in the south of Gaza, a move that risks further displacement of the population. Nathalie Godard, Director of Action at Amnesty International France, emphasized the urgent need for massive humanitarian aid, stating, “It must be immediate. It must be sufficient. It must be massive.” The stark contrast between the glamour of Cannes and the suffering in Gaza serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The international community must act swiftly to ensure sufficient and equitable aid reaches all those affected by the conflict in Gaza.