Jim Jarmusch’s Shock Confession: Why His Distributor’s Secret Military Link Has Him Rethinking Everything—Astro Signs Say Drama Incoming!
Added on August 31, 2025 inMovie News Cards
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Is Jim Jarmusch navigating a cosmic storm or just the chaos of earthly politics? As the planets align in a tense square today, the indie auteur took center stage at the Venice Film Festival, not just to debut his new film Father Mother Sister Brother, but to confront a hot-button issue: Mubi’s ties to the Israeli military. Jarmusch, ever the candid soul, shared that while he’s maintained a solid rapport with Mubi’s leadership, the recent revelations left him “disconcerted.” This celestial drama unfolds against a backdrop of filmmakers rallying for ethics and artists caught in the crossfire of corporate financing—reminding us that behind every indie gem, there’s a galaxy of complicated realities. So, what happens when art, activism, and investment collide under the Venice sun? Buckle up as we dive into a story where the silver screen meets real-world turbulence—because when it comes to ethical filmmaking these days, even Mars might think twice. LEARN MORE
Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, whose new film Father Mother Sister Brother is being released by Mubi, addressed the company’s controversial ties to the Israeli military during today’s Venice Film Festival press conference.
“I have spoken to Mubi about it,” Jarmusch confirmed before explaining that he has “a very good relationship with [Mubi’s chief content officer] Jason Ropell who called him immediately when he lodged concerns. “My relationship with Mubi was started much before that, and they were fantastic to work with on this film. I was, of course, disappointed and quite disconcerted by this relationship.”
The arthouse distributor, which had a breakout hit in last year’s The Substance, is facing backlash for securing a $100 million investment from Sequoia Capital earlier this year. The company is reportedly a key investor in Israeli defense-tech startup Kela, which was founded by four veterans of Israeli intelligence units in response to the terror attacks of Oct. 7. A host of filmmakers linked with Mubi have signed a letter criticizing Mubi amid growing backlash.
The subject came up during today’s press conference courtesy of a journalist from Screen International who noted that Jarmusch was among the signatories of an artists for ceasefire letter regarding Gaza, making it an even more relevant query. The filmmaker was joined on the panel by his stars including Cate Blanchett, Charlotte Rampling, Vicky Krieps, Luka Sabbat, Mayim Bialik and Indya Moore, the latter of whom has been an outspoken pro-Palestine activist. She also weighed in at length.
Jarmusch suggested that the journalist who asked the question also reach out to Mubi as well. “I’m not the spokesman. However, yes, I was concerned. I also have a distribution agreement with Mubi for certain territories, which I also had entered into before my knowledge of this [investment]. But having said that, on a personal level, I have to say I’m an independent filmmaker, and I have taken money from various sources to to be able to realize my films. And I consider pretty much all corporate money is dirty money. If you start analyzing each of these film companies and their financing structures, you’re going to find a lot of nasty dirt. It’s all there.”
That said, Jarmusch went on to explain that independent artists such as himself shouldn’t be the ones to have to defend such a relationship. “We could avoid it and not make films at all, but the films are what I choose to carry. So yes, I’m concerned, but one thing I don’t like is that — and you have not done this — but putting the onus of the explanation of this on us, the artists. It’s not us, it’s Mubi you must address. … Not just Mubi but other companies as well.”
After Jarmusch finished his answer, Moore asked if she may offer a perspective.
“Since the genocide of Palestinians began, there has been an incredible amount of creative warfare and resource warfare behind the scenes,” explained the Pose breakout. “What people are trying to figure out is how do we work in a capacity that is ethical and is not enabling a systemic pipeline that funds these kinds of things to happen to people. The due diligence that people are learning how to do is a developing process. These are not questions that we’ve ever had to ask before, especially as independent artists, and we’re all trying to figure out how to navigate this, you know, and survive.”
The actress and activist then said she feels the same way about the uncomfortable ties as she does living on Earth. “We share the planet with a lot of people, a lot of different people who believe different things and who behave in different ways toward others. We cannot always control the spaces that we are in when we are in company with those people. But my hope is that those people responsible for doing harm are more uncomfortable with the fact that they have to work with people who know that they’re doing wrong and that they stay away and that they stop or change.”
The conflict in Gaza has been a prominent topic of conversation at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Jarmusch’s press conference came one day after a pro-Palestinian protest drew more than 10,000 to the streets on the Lido. The crowd, which proved to be a mix of young and old, students, unionists, activists and cultural figures, came from across the region and across Europe. Moore previously participated in a similar protest on the streets of Park City, Utah while attending the Sundance Film Festival.
Directed by Jarmusch from his own script, Father Mother Sister Brother stars many of the auteur’s regulars including Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Sarah Greene, Indya Moore, Luka Sabbat and Françoise Lebrun.
Described as a triptych, the film contains three stories that all concern the relationships between adult children, their somewhat distant parent (or parents) and each other. Each of the three chapters takes place in the present and each in a different country. Father is set in the northeast United States, Mother in Dublin, and Sister Brother in Paris.
In his director’s statement released by the fest, Jarmusch states, “Father Mother Sister Brother is a kind of anti-action film, its subtle and quiet style carefully constructed to allow small details to accumulate — almost like flowers being carefully placed in three delicate arrangements. Collaborations with the masterful cinematographers Frederick Elmes and Yorick Le Saux, the brilliant editor Affonso Gonçalves, and other frequent collaborators elevate what started as words on a page into a form of pure cinema.”
The teaser, which just hit YouTube and is seen below, comes ahead of the film’s Venice Film Festival world premiere on Saturday, Aug. 30. Included on the roster of collaborators is Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello, credited as artistic director. Vaccarello has ramped up the house’s film ambitions in recent years. Father Mother Sister Brother will be released by Mubi in the U.S. on Dec. 24.
The 82nd Venice Film Festival runs Aug. 27-Sept. 6.
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