Nadav Lapid's 'Ahed's Knee' Wins Jury Prize at Cannes 2021

Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid presented his fourth feature film 'Il ginocchio di Ahed' (Ahed's Knee) in competition at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. The film is a story within a story, following director Y (played by Avshalom Pollak) seeking funding for a project about Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi, who became a symbol of resistance after a 2017 viral video showing her confronting two Israeli soldiers. Lapid uses a clip-like aesthetic and sensory imagery to explore his and his protagonist's disconnection from Israel, culminating in a J'accuse against a state that claims democracy but legitimizes censorship. The narrative unfolds through two key dialogues—one welcoming, one in the desert—where Y confronts Yahalom (Nur Fibak), a Ministry of Culture official who requires him to sign a document restricting topics for post-screening discussions. The film's tension builds through erotic charge and verbal aggression, ultimately suggesting collective Israeli guilt rather than individual blame. Lapid's angry, discontinuous style alternates between fast rhythms and disorienting panoramic shots, using natural and architectural spaces as breathing pauses. The film premiered at Cannes in July 2021.