Guy Nattiv’s film “Golda” was honored as the Most Valuable Film of the Year by the Cinema for Peace Foundation, during a fundraiser gala in Berlin on February 19.
Starring Helen Mirren, “Golda” portrays the challenges faced by Israel’s first female prime minister during the 1973 war. The movie has also been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Hair and Makeup, further cementing its impact and recognition in the film industry.
Nattiv, Mirren, and 102-year-old Holocaust survivor Margot Friedlander attended the Berlin gala, emphasizing the film’s relevance in the context of recent events, such as the October 7 massacre by Hamas in Israel and ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages.
After receiving the award, Nattiv drew parallels between the Camp David Peace Accords of 1978 and the current need for diplomatic solutions in the region.
“They saved millions of lives,” he said, referring to the Israeli and Egyptian leadership at the time of the accords’ establishment. “This time, too, we want to see a new Israeli and Palestinian leadership with the vision and courage to make historic peace between the two peoples.”
Alongside “Golda,” two other films addressing human rights and war-related themes were recognized by the Center for Peace Foundation: “One Life” featuring Anthony Hopkins as Sir Nicholas Winton, who rescued hundreds of children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia; and “The Zone of Interest,” directed by Jonathan Glazer, offering a haunting portrayal of daily life at Auschwitz.
The Cinema for Peace Foundation, established in 2008 to promote peaceful change through cinema, has attracted support from prominent figures like George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie. At the event, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was honored for her contributions to human rights and peace efforts, receiving an award presented by actress Sharon Stone.