Normally, the Hollywood Reporter isn’t on my reading list. But thanks to the algorithm I had the opportunity to read a movie review of a slick piece of anti-Israel propaganda.
Highlighting a newly released film, The Encampments, the reviewer gushes about the actions of Mahmoud Khalil and the other organizers of the Columbia University April 2024 campus-wide disruption.
Describing the Columbia protest as a “far-reaching and influential solidarity movement,” the Reporter is critical
only of those who dared to criticize the movement, saying: “certain politicians and some members of the media who spent weeks denigrating students, questioning their motives and accusing them of antisemitism” didn’t understand how inspirational the Columbia protesters were to their peers only of those who dared to criticize the movement, saying: “certain politicians and some members of the media who spent weeks denigrating students, questioning their motives and accusing them of antisemitism” didn’t understand how inspirational the Columbia protesters were to their peers.
After reading this story, you’d be left to believe that no Jews at Columbia (or UCLA, the other campus mentioned in the review) ever felt threatened or intimidated because Jewish Voice for Peace participated in the protests. You’d also be led to believe the protest that culminated in the takeover of Hamilton Hall was a kind-hearted experience where protesters handed out daisies and flashed the peace sign rather than using hammers to break windows and imprisoning a custodian who refused to allow them access to the building. This is possibly one of the most blatantly misleading depictions of the events to date.
The Encampments is produced by antisemite and one-hit-wonder rapper Macklemore, and was rushed to be released after Khalil’s arrest. If you trust The Hollywood Reporter’s recommendation, you should go watch this “important” film, which had zero trouble finding distribution nor is it facing protests at screenings (as October 8 has had) and is being shown in select theaters in New York City.
