At the Venice Film Festival press conference for his Golden Lion contender Father Mother Sister Brother, acclaimed director Jim Jarmusch addressed questions about distributor Mubi’s controversial relationship with Sequoia Capital, a Silicon Valley private equity firm.
Jarmusch is among hundreds of filmmakers who signed an open letter urging Mubi to return the $100 million investment it received from Sequoia Capital, citing the firm’s financial support of Israeli defense-tech start-ups.
“Mubi has been a fantastic collaborator on this film,” Jarmusch stated, “but I was disappointed and concerned about their financial ties. My agreement with them was made before I knew about this. As an independent filmmaker, I’ve relied on various funding sources, but honestly, most corporate money comes with strings attached.”
The director noted that nearly all film companies have questionable financial structures, adding: “If we start analyzing every detail, we’d find plenty of dirt. The reality is, I choose to make films regardless.”
The open letter specifically pointed to Sequoia Capital’s investments in companies such as Kela Technologies, established after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in southern Israel, which resulted in more than 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Other investments included military drone producer Neros and Mach Industries, a UAV manufacturer.
Filmmakers argued that such investments indirectly link Mubi to the violence in Gaza, where over 60,000 people have been killed during Israel’s retaliatory military campaign.
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Despite the controversy, Jarmusch emphasized that responsibility should not fall on filmmakers to police corporate financing, stressing: “It’s not fair to place the onus on us.”
Father Mother Sister Brother, structured as a triptych, explores complex family relationships across three stories set in different countries. The film boasts a stellar cast including Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett, Charlotte Rampling, Mayim Bialik, Vicky Krieps, and others.
The film is presented by Mubi, alongside Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, The Apartment (a Fremantle Company), and in association with Badjetlag, CG Cinema, Cinema Inutile, Films du Losange, and Weltkino.
Source: deadline.com
