'Miral' U.N. Premiere Causes Controversy

Julian Schnabel’s latest film Miral may not be getting great reviews, but it is getting attention — especially following its Monday night premiere at the U.N.

Based on the semi-autobiographical book by (Schnabel’s girlfriend) Rula Jebreal, Miral tells the story of a Palestinian girl growing up in a Jerusalem orphanage in the decades following Israel’s independence. Starring Freida Pinto, this is Schnabel’s first movie since the Oscar-nominated The Diving Bell and the Butterfly in 2007.

In addition to its reviews, the film drew protests from groups including the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, B’nai B’rith International, and the American Jewish Federation when Monday’s red-carpet premiere was held in the main hall of the United Nations General Assembly — an inappropriate venue for what AJC called a “highly politicized, one-sided film” in which Israel’s concerns are blithely dismissed.

The groups urged General Assembly President Joseph Deiss to reconsider sponsoring the event; Israel’s U.N.