Sunday night’s Series Mania screening of Lionsgate‘s debut Israeli drama was disrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters.
Deadline was not present at the screening but a Series Mania spokeswoman confirmed that there were protests during the show and local Israeli news outlets have reported on the disruption. Sources told Deadline that the premiere was disturbed on a number of occasions.
The German is Lionsgate’s first Israeli drama and is co-produced with Israel‘s Yes TV. Both declined comment on the protests. Starring Dark’s Oliver Masucci, The German comes from the creative team behind Fauda and Tehran and follows two people who meet after World War Two and move to a kibbutz near the Sea of Galilee, but one is soon recruited for a dangerous mission – locate the Nazi war criminal, Dr. Josef Mengele.
Addressing Series Mania prior to the screening, Series Mania boss Laurence Herszberg spoke about Series Mania being a place for creatives from all backgrounds.
“I often say that series reflect the world, and that the Séries Mania festival is a reflection of that,” she said. “Yes, a festival is not a bubble closed off from all the upheavals and difficulties of today’s world, and there are many of them. At the same time, a festival is a place where artists, all artists, express themselves, and it is very important for us, all of us who are feeling the current difficulties, that there are places where artists can express themselves, give free rein to their creativity and discuss their approach with you, the audience. We look at the world, we make selections of works precisely so as not to add to the chaos of the world, but I solemnly reaffirm that Series Mania is a festival where artists can and must express themselves.”
Sunday’s disruption was not the first time Series Mania has been hit by protest. Last year, a small pro-Palestine protest took place outside the Palais in Lille, with a group wearing Palestinian flags and holding a banner reading “Stop Genocide In Gaza / Boycott Series Mania.” That year, Series Mania was criticized by Israeli producers after Herszberg said it was “impossible” for a show from Israel to be included in its official selection.
Speaking to Deadline before the screening, Masucci detailed the experience of shooting the show as the Israel-Hamas war was raging last year.
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