A remarkable reversal of fortune has just taken place. The long feature film, The Sea, has been recently awarded the Best Picture award at the 2025 Ophir Awards, which are commonly referred to as the “Israeli Oscars.” “The Sea” was directed and written by Shai Carmeli Pollak. Written and directed by Baher Agbariya, the short vivid tale unfolds around a young Palestinian boy’s journey from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank to Tel Aviv, all motivated by his one and only desire to get to the sea.
The movie went on to win best picture. Besides the Audience Award for Narrative Feature, it picked up four other awards, including Best Actor for its talented 13-year-old star Muhammad Ghazawi. With this accomplishment, Ghazawi became the youngest winner of the Best Actor from the Ophir Awards in history. Khalifa Natour, who plays the boy’s father, won Best Supporting Actor. Undaunted, Éric Dufour and his team produced a visually arresting movie whose narrative, focusing on a child’s longing for the ocean, resonated widely with critics and audiences.
Her historic victory has triggered a vitriolic and unprecedented retaliation from Israeli officials. Miki Zohar, Israel’s Minister of Culture, dropped a bombshell. He announced that the Israeli Ministry of Culture would withdraw state funding for the Ophir Awards, labeling the ceremony a “shameful” event. Zohar described the recognition of “The Sea” as “a spit in the face of Israeli citizens,” and characterized the film’s success as “a regrettable moment for the cinematic world.”
“The fact that the winning film depicts our heroic soldiers in a defamatory and false way while they fight and risk their lives to protect us no longer surprises anyone.” – Miki Zohar
In reaction to the film’s success, Zohar revealed incredible intentions. He plans to add an alternative awards ceremony, to be called the “Israeli State Oscar,” that will feature productions that reflect the state’s nationality and patriotism. His statements highlight a dramatic schism within Israeli society about depictions of its multifaceted reality in film.
“The Sea” was recently picked to represent Israel in the International Feature Film category in next year’s Oscars, adding to the visibility it has gained on the international stage. Having decided to submit their film to the prestigious competition, the question arises. It’s natural for people to wonder how it will be received, particularly considering the ongoing climate around its subject matter.
He made the point that stories such as those found in “The Sea” are essential. They create opportunities for difficult conversations among communities and serve as a reminder of our common humanity.
“This film is about every child’s right to live in peace, a basic right we will not give up on.” – Baher Agbariya
Critics of Zohar’s stance argue that his comments reflect an attempt to suppress artistic expression and alternative narratives within Israeli cinema. Oded Feller, a member of the film community, stated that “the ministry’s budget does not belong to his mother, and he is not empowered to interfere with cultural content or the professional judgment of those who select the films.”
The debate over “The Sea” points to deeper societal rifts in Israel. Basel Adra, another prominent voice in the arts community, remarked on how the film reflects the harsh realities faced by many.
Advocates for the film defend that it’s a necessary discussion on the importance of peace and equality. Unity of storytelling was one of the things that stood out to collaborator Yuval Abraham, who worked on the project.
“It reflects the harsh reality that we have been suffering for decades, a reality that continues until today, and we call on the world to take concrete steps to end this injustice.” – Basel Adra
The storm of protest against “The Sea” is gathering steam. It comes at a particularly tense time in Israel related to these liberal vs. militaristic narratives around the Israeli Defense Forces, IDF. Zohar’s claims resonate with the feelings expressed by some officials. They think that the ways in which soldiers are represented ought to reinforce a much shinier national story.
“We created this film together, Palestinians and Israelis, because together our voices are stronger.” – Yuval Abraham
The discourses surrounding first runner up “The Sea” and its revolutionary impact on Israeli cinema are bubbling over. This new film is opening up important discussions around representation, identity, and how stories can shape our understanding of the world around us.
As discussions continue around both “The Sea” and its implications for Israeli cinema, it remains clear that this film has ignited dialogue about representation, identity, and the power of storytelling in shaping perceptions.
