Hungarian student Beata Konya's final-year film "Threads of Eternity" faced a boycott at Goldsmiths University's Tap Out 2024 student film festival due to scenes set and filmed in Israel, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Konya described the boycott as "silent," with fellow students gathering outside the screening but refusing to attend. Some students reportedly avoided the film explicitly because of its Israeli filming locations, while others stopped talking to Konya altogether.
"Threads of Eternity" explores themes of Kabbalistic mysticism and Hungarian folklore, depicting a vision of ancient Judea in Mitzpe Ramon. The controversy prompted discussions within the university, including a meeting with a local rabbi to address the tensions. Goldsmiths University released a statement on May 21 emphasizing respect for freedom of speech and differing political views among students and staff.
Konya, who had recently been in Israel and survived a terrorist attack, shared that her experience had deeply impacted her. She expressed she wasn't surprised at the boycott as growing pro-Palestinian activism continues to take over the university, but admits the situation "got so bad it nearly drove her to leave school."