The celebrities are back on the auction block, this time in support of humanitarian relief in Gaza.
Cinema for Gaza, a new coalition of British film and television creatives, organized an auction raising money for Medical Aid for Palestine (MAP) amid the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. As entertainers, the experiences and items for sale are of the most unique and attention-grabbing sort.
For sale is a bedtime story from Tilda Swinton, a perfect porridge tutorial from Challengers star Josh O’Connor, and a cuppa with Stranger Things‘ Joseph Quinn — all over Zoom. If none of those suit your fancy, there’s always a “restorative drink” with Alison Oliver from Saltburn or chat about astrology with Sex Education star Aimee Lou Wood, also over Zoom. For an IRL experience, bidders have the opportunity to attend comedian and Poor Things star Ramy Youssef’s show, afterparty, and meet and greet.
There’s also a variety of memorabilia for sale ranging from from Doctor Who scripts to several The Iron Claw posters with custom doodles by Harris Dickinson.
The auction is the brainchild of Hanna Flint, Julia Jackman, Leila Latif, Sophie Monks Kaufman, and Helen Simmons, all of whom are filmmakers or journalists in the UK. In a statement to The Guardian they said, “As we enter the sixth month of Israel’s military siege of Gaza, it has never been more vital to raise funds for the urgent humanitarian work conducted by Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). Their efforts are not only essential but lifesaving, as Israel’s bombardment has obliterated Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure.”
They sees art and politics as “inextricably linked” and described Cinema for Gaza as “a passionate, inclusive fundraising space powered by the generosity of people from all corners of the film industry who will not stand idly by while Palestinians are dehumanised and attacked with impunity.”
Cinema for Gaza is one of several coalitions of artists showing solidarity with Palestine. At the Oscars, many attendees including Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo, and Ava DuVernay sported Artists for Ceasefire buttons. Jonathan Glazer, the director of Zone of Interest, drew parallels between his Holocaust film and the current bombardment of Gaza in his acceptance speech for Best International Feature.
The Cinema for Gaza auction begins April 2 and runs through April 12.