Recalling the Israeli Hostage during Berlinale's Grande Entrée
As the Berlinale kickstarts, celebrities like Andrea Sawatzki and Ulrich Matthes, along with the festival's director Tricia Tuttle, paid a heartfelt tribute to a unique individual. What made this tribute stand out was its focus on Israeli hostage David Cunio. Strolling down the red carpet, they held up signs with his name and messages, including Tuttle's emotional picture of Cunio with the plea, "Bring David Cunio Home."
Cunio, an actor, found himself in the spotlight at the Berlinale in 2013 with a film. Fast forward to 2023, a film honoring his extraordinary journey titled "Michtav Le'David. A Letter to David" will be screening. This poignant documentary not only commemorates Cunio, who has been held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip since, but also showcases the deeply personal connection between the film's director, Tom Shoval, and Cunio's twin brother, Eitan Cunio, a prominent star in Shoval's debut feature film "Youth."
In interviews, Tuttle spoke of the Berlinale team's regret for missing the previous year's farewell gala for Cunio and promised to apologize to him and his family. Even before the festival's opening gala, a vigil unfolded near the Berlinale Palace in tribute to Cunio and other hostages.
The documentary's selection to open the Berlinale Special Program, a prestigious section of the festival, underscores the importance of its message. At a time when many overlook the hostages' plight, "Michtav Le'David. A Letter to David" serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for their release.
Amidst the Berlinale's backdrop of controversy over alleged anti-Semitism, this tribute to Cunio serves as a significant step towards promoting understanding and empathy. The film's screening is a testament to the festival's commitment to open dialogue and discourse.
Tricia Tuttle, the festival's director, expressed her regret for missing the previous year's farewell gala for David Cunio in an interview. The film "Michtav Le'David. A Letter to David," which features a deep connection between its director, Tom Shoval, and Cunio's twin brother Eitan, will be screening at this year's Berlinale, which is being hosted by Tuttle.
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