Menbud Fadli Zon Supports Palestinian Humanity And Cultural Collaboration Through Film At The 2025 Cannes Film Festival

JAKARTA - In a series of events at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. Fadli Zon, held a meeting withUL Aoun, a humanitarian activist and film activist from Egypt.

This meeting became a forum for strategic discussions related to collaboration opportunities in the field of film, particularly around the documentary 'The Life That Remains' by the newcomer director, Dorra Zarrouk, who is also known as a well-known Tunisian actress.

This 79-minute film tells the true story of the Palestinian family struggle that has been forced to flee Gaza due to Israeli military aggression since October 7, 2023. The film recorded the emotional journey of a married couple with eight of their children, who left Gaza three months after a major conflict destroyed their lives.

Several scenes were recorded at a real location that was directly affected by the attack, including the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza.

Minister Fadli Zon stated that the current condition of the Palestinian people is an extraordinary humanitarian tragedy, not merely a political issue.

What happened in Palestine is a humanitarian disaster. Indonesia, through its constitution, has a clear mandate to support the independence and struggle of the Palestinian people. This is a moral and historical commitment," he said through an official broadcast.

The next Indonesian Minister of Culture also emphasized the importance of art, especially film, as a medium to voice the truth and fight for justice. The film can be a means to inspire global empathy and show the world what actually happened in Gaza.

"The Ministry of Culture fully supports works of art that voice justice and reject double standards in defending humanitarian rights," said the Minister of Culture at the meeting.

In addition to discussing the current conditions experienced by the Palestinian people, the meeting which took place at the Egyptian Media Hub booth also discussed opportunities for cultural collaboration between Indonesia and countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Accompanied by Expert Staff to the Minister of Law and Culture Policy, Masyitoh Annisa Ramadhani Alkatiri and Marlina Yulianty as Pamong Budaya, the Minister of Culture also discussed the potential for cooperation in film production and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Menbud Fadli Zon's visit not only strengthens Indonesia's commitment to supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people, but also reflects the government's active steps in expanding cultural diplomacy networks. Indonesia's presence at the Cannes Film Festival is a strategic arena to introduce national artwork to the global stage while strengthening international relations through cultural forces.