“Get Out” and “Halloween” producer Jason Blum received boos from the audience and was physically removed offstage Tuesday night after making political statements in his acceptance speech at the 32nd Israeli Film Festival.
“Tonight we have much to celebrate with the opening of the 32nd Israeli Film Festival, but at the same time today, Americans went to the polls to exercise our right to vote. I have been quietly checking my phone and we’re doing pretty well. The election results are pouring in as I speak and a lot is on the line,” said Blum, who was accepting the 2018 IFF Achievement award in film and TV. said. “The great thing about this country is that you can like Trump, but I don’t have to, and I can say what I feel about it — and I don’t like it!”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a few people walked out of the Steve Tisch Cinema Center in Beverly Hills while Blum was speaking.
He continued speaking as booing became louder. At one point, Israeli reality TV star Yossi Dina approached the stage and attempted to pull the producer down, according to Variety.
Blum went to Twitter to express his feelings saying, “I was honored by the Israel film festival tonight and, unfortunately was not allowed to finish the speech I was trying to give.”
I was honored by the Israel film festival tonight and, unfortunately was not allowed to finish the speech I was trying to give. Here is the message…
— Jason Blum (@jason_blum) November 7, 2018
Following the tweet, Blum left a thread with his entire speech and the point he was trying to make.
“If we are not accountable, we may wake up one day in a country we don’t even recognize. Let us all hope that today’s election starts to chart a different course – not just for the U.S., but for the world – one that reaffirms the values that we all cherish,” Blum added. “Thank you.”
“Over the past three decades, we have never shied away from allowing a filmmaker or actor to express themselves either personally or through their work,” Festival director and founder Meir Fenigstein said in a statement obtained by the Journal. “We have often highlighted films that some may deem not to their liking or are controversial. We in no way condone violence but do wholeheartedly support dialogue that allows people to share ideas and viewpoints in a respectful way. Sadly, some audience members at last night’s opening greatly lacked that respect and turned an evening of celebration and recognition into something else.
“This is the first time we have ever experienced anything like this,” Fenigstein continued. “I am in total shock, but I realize that yesterday was a very tense day in America with the elections.”
