"Palestine 36" faces organized smear campaign
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- Palestine 36 faces an organized smear campaign involving pirated leaks, abusive comments, and misleading ratings aimed at undermining its cinema run.
- The filmmakers urge audiences to boycott pirated versions, attend screenings, and support the film through responsible viewing and honest feedback.
The team behind Palestine 36 said the movie is facing an organized smear campaign aimed at undermining its theatrical run, according to a statement shared by Palestine 36.
The statement said the campaign includes hacked leaks, abusive comments, and misleading ratings, all intended to discourage audiences and damage the film while it is still showing in cinemas.
“The goal is one: to break attendance and assassinate the film on screen,” the statement said.
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Read more: ‘Palestine 36’: The untold Palestinian story
In response, the filmmakers called for a simple but firm reaction: filling cinema seats. They urged audiences not to watch the film through IPTV services or pirated links, stressing that piracy directly harms screening continuity, distribution opportunities, and the future of Palestinian films reaching theaters.
The team outlined three steps for supporters: watch the film in cinemas, discuss it without revealing key plot points, and share honest reviews on platforms and social media. They also called on the public to report pirated links and coordinated abuse, rather than amplifying them.
Read more: “Palestine 36” selected as official Oscar entry for 2026
“Every seat filled is a clear message,” the statement said. “Cinema is testimony, and Palestine deserves to be seen and heard.”
Palestine 36 is the official selection of the State of Palestine for the 2026 Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category.
