After an unsuccessful legal attempt by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to block the world premiere of “The Bibi Files,” the documentary made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Monday. The hard-hitting documentary about the Israeli prime minister had its screening at the film festival which received a mix of solemnity and celebration from the audience.
Directed by Alexis Bloom, the film presents never-before-seen interrogation tapes to build its case against Netanyahu. At moments, the premiere felt more like a political rally, with many attendees aligning against the long-standing Israeli leader, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
The film has yet to secure distribution, but producer Alex Gibney expressed optimism that the festival screenings would spark interest from buyers. Gibney is an Oscar- and Emmy-winning documentarian.
Bloom, who continues to develop the documentary, noted that her work has gained heightened relevance following the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, she initially began the project during the judicial-reform protests in Israel earlier in 2023.
“The Bibi Files” was born when a source approached Gibney last year with previously unseen interrogation tapes tied to Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial. While the contents of these recordings had been partially leaked in text form, they had never been aired publicly in Israel. The tapes likely won’t be officially released in the country due to privacy laws, but Gibney managed to use them in the film’s international debut.
Netanyahu’s legal team sought to block the screening, arguing that Israeli privacy laws extend internationally. However, Judge Oded Shaham rejected the request, allowing the TIFF screenings to continue, while asking for a response from the film’s producers by Wednesday.
The documentary mixes expert commentary and candid footage to paint a damning picture of Netanyahu, focusing on allegations of corruption, including accusations that he accepted gifts worth $250,000 in exchange for political favors. The film highlights Netanyahu’s influence over Israeli politics and examines the charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust that have dogged him for nearly five years.
Bloom’s film also offers a rare look at key Israeli figures, including Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan and opposition leader Yair Lapid. It even features Netanyahu’s wife, Sara, and his son, Yair, both of whom are portrayed in candid and often unflattering moments.
One audience member did note that Netanyahu has not been convicted of any crimes, cautioning against premature judgment.
Although the documentary doesn’t cover the most recent Israeli protests or Netanyahu’s summer speech to Congress, its release could further fuel discontent among Israelis. A recent Channel 12 poll showed that over two-thirds of Israeli citizens believe Netanyahu should step down before the next election.
Speaking to the TIFF audience, Gibney explained the urgency of releasing the film amid Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas. “People are dying every day, and we wanted to make a statement with this film,” he said.
Director Bloom also reflected on the timeliness of the film, stating, “You can see this pattern going on worldwide, this democratic backsliding,” drawing parallels between Israel’s political climate and global trends.
About Author
Leave a Reply