Mark Ruffalo and 690 AMPAS members criticizes The Academy for not supporting Hamdan Ballal amid assault

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently faced backlash after they failed to show public support to Hamdan Ballal, the Palestinian co-director of the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land. Ballal was recently detained by Israeli forces after he was attacked near his home.

The Academy had a very cold response to the serious situation, which received criticism. However, 690 AMPAS members, including actor Mark Ruffalo, director Ava DuVernay and Oscar-winning filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón, slammed the academy. They signed a letter criticizing the Academy for its silence over Hamdan Ballal's arrest.

Ruffalo took to his Instagram and shared the letter in which the AMPAS members condemned the brutal assault and unlawful detention of Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal by settlers and Israeli forces in the West Bank.

In the letter, it was also stated that Ballal's Oscar win for No Other Land was particularly notable given the film's limited resources. Furthermore, the letter emphasized that the targeting of Ballal was not only an attack on him but also on all filmmakers who dare to speak truth to power.

Also Read: Oscar-winning director Hamdan Ballal beaten and detained by Israeli Military in West Bank, CCTV footage leaks

After the backlash, the Academy decided to issue a formal apology.

According to Variety, the Academy had sent a letter in response to reports of violence against Oscar winner Hamdan Ballal. They expressed regret for not directly acknowledging Ballal and his film earlier. The Academy also apologized to Ballal and the artists who felt unsupported, condemning violence and suppression of free speech worldwide.

For the unversed, Hamdan Ballal won an Oscar for a documentary, No Other Land, that revolves around the Palestinian community in the West Bank fighting against being forced to leave their homes by Israeli forces.