The Zone Of Interest filmmaker Jonathan Glazer has reinforced his support for the virtual Cinema For Gaza campaign auction, pledging a new personalized gift to the fundraiser alongside first-time donors Spike Lee, Olivia Colman, and Paul Mescal.
Alongside the two signed film posters for The Zone Of Interest and Under The Skin he pledged in the first lot of fundraiser donations, Glazer has added a second Under The Skin poster also signed by his longtime producer James Wilson and composing partner Mica Levi.
Also new to the fundraising lot is a framed Malcolm X poster signed by Spike Lee. Actress Tessa Thompson is offering a Zoom meeting with a beer (or other non-alcoholic drink) alongside signed costume and movie memorabilia, and Paul Mescal has pledged a signed Aftersun poster.
Aftersun pops elsewhere in the latest donations pot as the film’s director, Charlotte Wells, and producer, Adele Romanski of Pastel, have put together a bespoke giveaway package, including a copy of the film with a personalized commentary track. Joachim Trier has also pledged a Worst Person In The World poster signed by himself and the cast, and Olivia Colman has pledged a personalized video message while Susan Sarandon is offering the chance to discuss your favorite Susan Sarandon film on Zoom with her alongside a signed Rocky Horror Picture Show t-shirt. There are also additions from Eliza Hittman, Close filmmaker Lukas Dhont, and Shane Meadows.
The campaign, launched last week by UK film professionals Hanna Flint, Julia Jackman, Leila Latif, Sophie Monks Kaufman, and Helen Simmons, crossed £90,000 ($113,000) over the weekend. The group has had no backing or budget and has largely organized efforts over a WhatsApp group chat launched over dinner in February. Celebrity donations have come in through a combination of requests from the group who have tapped into their industry contacts alongside unprompted offers from actors and filmmakers who reached out after hearing about the campaign organically. A handwritten letter by Annie Lennox currently has the highest cash bid, with £7,700 ($9,700).
The auction closes on Friday, April 12, at midnight BST. All cash donations will be handed to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), a healthcare organization currently responding to the emergency in Gaza.
The UN has predicted an imminent “man-made” famine in the territory. This week, seven humanitarian aid workers were killed in Gaza after an “unintended” Israeli air strike. The deaths have led to some aid agencies pausing their work due to safety concerns.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza last week said that at least 32,845 people have been killed during Israel’s campaign in the territory. The latest flare-up in hostilities was sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel last October which killed more than 1100 and saw more than 200 taken hostage.