Nadav Lapid

{{Infobox person

| name = Nadav Lapid

| native_name = נדב לפיד

| native_name_lang = he

| image = File:MJK 339221 Goldener Bär für Synonyms.jpg

| caption = Lapid holding Golden Bear at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival

| birth_date =

| birth_place = Tel Aviv, Israel

| nationality = Israeli

| other_names =

| education = Tel Aviv University
Paris 8 University
Sam Spiegel Film and Television School

| occupation =

| awards = Locarno Festival Special Jury Prize {{small|(2011)}}
Golden Bear {{small|(2019)}}

Cannes Jury Prize {{small|(2021)}}

| notable_works =

}}

Nadav Lapid ({{Langx|he|נדב לפיד}}) is an Israeli screenwriter and film director. Film critics consider him to be among the most internationally acclaimed filmmakers from Israel.{{Cite magazine |date=30 July 2015 |title=J. Hoberman Reviews Nadav Lapid's Insular New 'The Kindergarten Teacher' |first1=J. |last1=Hoberman |url=https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/nadav-lapid-2 |access-date=29 November 2022 |magazine=Tablet Magazine |quote=[Lapid's] two features [..] have made him the most internationally acclaimed Israeli filmmaker in recent memory… and perhaps ever. |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129120741/https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/nadav-lapid-2 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Hawa |first=Kaleem |date=31 March 2022 |title=Nadav Lapid's Cinema of Shame |language=en-US |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/nadav-lapid-ahed-knee/ |access-date=29 November 2022 |issn=0027-8378 |quote=Nadav Lapid has the uncertain honor of being the most acclaimed Israeli film director. A perennial favorite at festivals around the world, [..]}}{{Cite news |last=Anderman |first=Nirit |date=2 March 2019 |title=This Award-winning Filmmaker Is Praised by His Fellow Israelis. And It's Making Him Uncomfortable |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2019-03-02/ty-article-magazine/.premium/why-praise-from-his-fellow-israelis-is-making-this-filmmaker-uncomfortable/0000017f-f03d-d8a1-a5ff-f0bfe1530000 |quote=In recent years he [Nadav Lapid] has become one of the most esteemed Israeli directors in the world.}}

Early life

Lapid was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, to a family of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. He is the son of writer {{ill|Haim Lapid|he|חיים לפיד}} and film editor {{ill|Era Lapid|he|ערה לפיד}}, he studied philosophy at Tel Aviv University, moving to Paris after his military service in the Israel Defense Forces. He returned to Israel to pursue a degree at the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School in Jerusalem.{{cite news |title=Nadav Lapid: Israel's Feted Director Speaks His Mind – In His Films and Outside |url=https://thewire.in/film/nadav-lapid-iffi-kashmir-files |access-date=30 November 2022 |work=The Wire |agency=PTI |date=29 November 2022}}

Career

Lapid's debut feature film Policeman won the Locarno Festival Special Jury Prize at the Locarno International Film Festival in 2011.{{r|berlin}} His 2014 film The Kindergarten Teacher was featured in the 2014 Critics' Week. Lapid was named as a member of the jury of the Critics' Week section of the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.{{cite web |url=http://www.semainedelacritique.com/EN/jury.php |title=Jury 2016 |accessdate=22 March 2015 |work=Semaine de la Critique de Cannes |archive-date=12 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512080120/http://www.semainedelacritique.com/EN/jury.php |url-status=dead }}

He became a recipient of the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.berlinale.de/en/programm/berlinale_programm/datenblatt.html?film_id=201912245|website=Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin|title=Synonymes|date=2019|access-date=18 February 2019|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011432/https://www.berlinale.de/en/programm/berlinale_programm/datenblatt.html?film_id=201912245|url-status=live}} Nadav Lapid’s film Synonyms won the Golden Bear award at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-filmfestival-berlin-golden-bear-idUSKCN1Q50OB|title=Israeli director Nadav Lapid's 'Synonyms' wins Berlinale|first=Thomas|last=Escritt|location=Berlin|newspaper=Reuters|date=16 February 2019|archive-date=1 November 2022|access-date=18 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101212252/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-filmfestival-berlin-golden-bear-idUSKCN1Q50OB|url-status=live}} Lapid won the IFFI Best Director Award for the film at the 45th International Film Festival of India in November 2014.{{cite web | title=Nadav Lapid: Israel's feted director speaks his mind - in his films and outside it | website=The Times of India | date=2022-11-30 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/nadav-lapid-israels-feted-director-speaks-his-mind-in-his-films-and-outside-it/articleshow/95876179.cms | access-date=2022-12-08 | archive-date=2022-12-08 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208005617/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/nadav-lapid-israels-feted-director-speaks-his-mind-in-his-films-and-outside-it/articleshow/95876179.cms | url-status=live }}

Reception

Lapid is considered by the film critics to be among the most acclaimed filmmakers from Israel. He has gained reputation for "thematically and formally challenging work".{{cite web | last=Slater | first=Shane | title=TIFF 2021: Ahed's Knee Review | website=That Shelf | date=2021-09-16 | url=https://thatshelf.com/tiff-2021-aheds-knee-review/ | access-date=2022-12-02 | archive-date=2022-12-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201210852/https://thatshelf.com/tiff-2021-aheds-knee-review/ | url-status=live }} His work frequently involves criticism of Israeli nationalism and identity.{{cite web | last1=Lapin | first1=Andrew | last2=Bachner | first2=Michael | title=An Israeli director battles the country's culture ministry in a provocative new film | website=The Times of Israel | date=2022-03-23 | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/an-israeli-director-battles-the-countrys-culture-ministry-in-a-provocative-new-film/ | access-date=2022-12-02 | archive-date=2022-12-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201210852/https://www.timesofisrael.com/an-israeli-director-battles-the-countrys-culture-ministry-in-a-provocative-new-film/ | url-status=live }} Lapid, commenting on the reception of his work, states that we "need someone to be in the opposition, to upset the power structure of cinema, to want to lock horns with it".{{cite web | last=Anderman | first=Nirit | title=This Award-winning Filmmaker Is Praised by His Fellow Israelis. And It's Making Him Uncomfortable | website=Haaretz.com | date=2019-03-02 | url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2019-03-02/ty-article-magazine/.premium/why-praise-from-his-fellow-israelis-is-making-this-filmmaker-uncomfortable/0000017f-f03d-d8a1-a5ff-f0bfe1530000 | access-date=2022-11-30 | archive-date=2022-11-30 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130080613/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2019-03-02/ty-article-magazine/.premium/why-praise-from-his-fellow-israelis-is-making-this-filmmaker-uncomfortable/0000017f-f03d-d8a1-a5ff-f0bfe1530000 | url-status=live }}

''The Kashmir Files''

In November 2022, Lapid was invited to head the jury at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Assessing the fifteen entries in a closing speech, he, on the behalf of the jury, singled out The Kashmir Files for pointed criticism: it was "vulgar propaganda", he said, and an "inappropriate [submission]", which had shocked his fellow jury members.{{Cite news |last1=Schmall |first1=Emily |last2=Kumar |first2=Hari |date=29 November 2022 |title=Israeli Filmmaker's Critique of Popular Bollywood Film Draws Fierce Backlash |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/29/world/asia/india-film-kashmir-files.html |access-date=29 November 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=29 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129151035/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/29/world/asia/india-film-kashmir-files.html |url-status=live }}

Lapid's remarks gave rise to a controversy in Indian politics, drawing backlash from the supporters and the members of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which had promoted the film, but receiving support from political opposition. Naor Gilon, Israel's ambassador to India castigated Lapid over Twitter, finding his remarks as presumptuous and insensitive; other diplomats from Israel supported Gilon.{{Cite news |title='You Should Be Ashamed': Israeli Envoy Slams Filmmaker Who Set Off Firestorm in India |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-11-29/ty-article/.premium/jerusalem-denounces-israeli-filmmaker-after-comments-set-off-indian-firestorm/00000184-c2bc-d05a-a3b4-e3fcae5e0000 |access-date=29 November 2022 |archive-date=2022-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129112402/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-11-29/ty-article/.premium/jerusalem-denounces-israeli-filmmaker-after-comments-set-off-indian-firestorm/00000184-c2bc-d05a-a3b4-e3fcae5e0000 |url-status=live }} In subsequent interviews, Lapid stood by his remarks;{{Cite web |title='In Countries That Are Losing Ability to Speak Truth, Someone Needs to Speak Up': Nadav Lapid |url=https://thewire.in/rights/nadav-lapid-iffi-goa-kashmir-files |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=The Wire |archive-date=2022-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130083847/https://thewire.in/rights/nadav-lapid-iffi-goa-kashmir-files |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Israeli filmmaker Lapid stands by his comments, says can recognise 'propaganda disguised as a movie' |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/israeli-filmmaker-lapid-stands-by-his-comments-says-can-recognise-propaganda-disguised-as-a-movie/cid/1901165 |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}} his fellow jurors – except Sudipto Sen – endorsed his observations in a joint statement.{{Cite web |date=3 December 2022 |title=IFFI's Foreign Jurors Back Lapid on 'Kashmir Files', Say Their Criticism Is Artistic, Not Political |url=https://thewire.in/film/iffi-jury-members-nadav-lapid-kashmir-files |website=The Wire |access-date=3 December 2022 |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203103410/https://thewire.in/film/iffi-jury-members-nadav-lapid-kashmir-files |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Banning 'The Kerala Story' Serves No Purpose, That Is Not The Way of Democracies |url=https://thewire.in/communalism/the-kerala-story-ban-democracy |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=The Wire |archive-date=2023-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518220355/https://thewire.in/communalism/the-kerala-story-ban-democracy |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharya |first=Snigdhendu |date=2 May 2023 |title='The Kerala Story' And The Growth Of Hindutva Propaganda Movies In India |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/kerala-story-and-the-growth-of-hindutva-propaganda-movies-in-india-news-283068 |website=Outlook |access-date=19 May 2023 |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521045257/https://www.outlookindia.com/national/kerala-story-and-the-growth-of-hindutva-propaganda-movies-in-india-news-283068 |url-status=live }}

Personal life

Lapid is married to Naama Preis, an Israeli actress; they reside in Paris, France.

In December 2023, alongside 50 other filmmakers, Lapid signed an open letter published in Libération demanding a ceasefire and an end to the killing of civilians amid the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, and for a humanitarian corridor into Gaza to be established for humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages.{{cite news|date=28 December 2023|title=Gaza : des cinéastes du monde entier demandent un cessez-le-feu immédiat|url=https://www.liberation.fr/idees-et-debats/tribunes/gaza-des-cineastes-du-monde-entier-demandent-un-cessez-le-feu-immediat-20231228_WMAUSVJVLFEBNK4ME4XU3ZRU3M/|newspaper=Libération|language=fr|access-date=24 January 2024|archive-date=26 January 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240126061209/https://www.liberation.fr/idees-et-debats/tribunes/gaza-des-cineastes-du-monde-entier-demandent-un-cessez-le-feu-immediat-20231228_WMAUSVJVLFEBNK4ME4XU3ZRU3M/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://thefilmstage.com/claire-denis-ryusuke-hamaguchi-kiyoshi-kurosawa-christian-petzold-apichatpong-weerasethakul-more-sign-demand-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/|title=Claire Denis, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Christian Petzold, Apichatpong Weerasethakul & More Sign Demand for Ceasefire in Gaza|last=Newman|first=Nick|date=29 December 2023|website=The Film Stage|access-date=24 January 2024|archive-date=12 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712013232/https://thefilmstage.com/claire-denis-ryusuke-hamaguchi-kiyoshi-kurosawa-christian-petzold-apichatpong-weerasethakul-more-sign-demand-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|date=31 December 2023|title=Directors of cinema sign petition for immediate ceasefire|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-780176|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=24 January 2024|archive-date=23 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123165349/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-780176|url-status=live}}

Filmography

= Feature films =

class="wikitable" !Year !English Title !Original Title !Notes
2011 \|Policeman \|השוטר \|
2014 \|The Kindergarten Teacher \|הגננת \|
2019 \|Synonyms \|Synonymes \|Golden Bear winner at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival
2021 \|Ahed's Knee \|הַבֶּרֶךְ \|Jury Prize winner at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival
2025 \|Yes! \| \|

class="wikitable"

!Year

!English Title

!Original Title

!Notes

2011

|Policeman

|השוטר

2014

|The Kindergarten Teacher

|הגננת

2019