Oscar-winning director Asif Kapadia, known for his work on the Amy Winehouse documentary “Amy,” has issued a public apology for sharing what he acknowledges as “antisemitic” posts on social media. Kapadia, a 52-year-old filmmaker from London, also renowned for his films “Senna” and “Diego Maradona,” has been removed as a patron of the documentary charity, The Grierson Trust, in light of the controversy.
In a statement reported by Deadline, Kapadia expressed deep regret for the hurt and offence caused by his retweets, acknowledging that they could be interpreted as antisemitic or endorsing violence. He clarified that his intention was not to propagate such views and emphasised his commitment to anti-racism and his concern for the plight of Palestinian and Lebanese people.
Among the contentious posts shared by Kapadia was a cartoon depicting Benjamin Netanyahu dining at a blood-stained table in the aftermath of Gaza, labelled as “kosher.” Another post featured a scene from “Schindler’s List” with a caption drawing parallels to contemporary events, referring to the depicted characters as Nazis.
Kapadia’s appointment as a patron of The Grierson Trust on October 9 was swiftly revoked following the emergence of these controversial social media shares. The charity issued a statement expressing regret that they were not aware of the posts prior to his appointment and affirmed their stance against racism of any form, noting their commitment to promoting freedom of speech and inclusivity in the documentary industry.
Despite the controversy, Kapadia’s upcoming film “2073,” a hybrid of documentary and fiction set in a near-future San Francisco, is scheduled to be showcased at the BFI London Film Festival next week. The filmmaker’s apology and the subsequent actions taken by The Grierson Trust have sparked conversations about the boundaries of free speech and the responsibility of individuals, particularly public figures, in curating their online presence and expressions.