New Delhi: Actor Kani Kusruti, who is in Cannes for the grand screening of her film All We Can Imagine As Light, made more than a fashion statement at 77th Cannes Film Festival as she carried a watermelon-themed clutch bag in Thursday, 23 May, 2024. Her wastermelon clutch bag has now gone viral on social media for showing her solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza. In the pictures, Kani can be seen posing with a sliced watermelon clutch with the cast of the film.
The story behind Kani Kusruti’s Cannes watermelon bag
A watermelon when sliced shows the colours of the Palestine flag – red, green, black, and white, making it a useful symbol of Palestinian identity, especially since carrying and displaying the Palestinian flag has often been barred by Israeli authorities. In fact, on social media too, the watermelon emoji has gained currency, with many claiming that posts with more Palestinian symbols are restricted by the UN-headquartered tech platforms. Notably, watermelons are widely cultivated in Palestine, from the West Bank to Gaza and feature prominently in Palestinian cuisine.
How watermelon cluth is the symbol of solidarity?
Palestine has been on the boil since 2023, even before Haams attack that triggered the bloodbath in Gaza by Israel. In 2023, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir claimed that he had instructed the police to tear down any Palestinian flags flown publicly after a terror convict waved the flag after his release from prison.
Flowing the Palestinian flag is not legally banned in Israel but the police often crack down, claiming the flag could “disturb peace”. However, the arrests continued and in June, an organisation called Zazim began adding images of sliced watermelons on taxis playing Tel Aviv, with the text accompanying, “This is not a Palestinian flag”.
In 2007, Palestinian artist Khaled Hourani painted a lice of watermelon for the Subjective Atlas of Palestine project. and it served as a strong associate watermelon with the Palestinian cause.
But, it is still unclear how the watermelon first came to be used in protests. While some believed it to be a prominent symbol of resistance during the First Intifada (1987-1993), some has claimed that its use trace back to a later time. For the unversed, the First Intifada was against Israel’s occupation of West Bank and Gaza since 1967, and the criminalisation of the display of Palestinian flags. In this regard, there’s a possibility that the symbol of a sliced watermelon might have seen usage during the time.
About All We Imagine As Light
All We Imagine As Light is the first Indian film in 30 years to qualify for the Cannes category Palme d’Or. After the screening at Cannes, it received eight-minute standing ovation. The cast of the film also danced their way to the film’s screening on 23 May. It stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam and Hridhu Haroon.
2024 Cannes Film Festival: All We Can Imagine As Light actress Kani Kusruti stole the limelight at 77th Cannes Film Festival as she was spotted carrying a sliced watermelon clutch to show solidarity with Palestinian. Celebrity Entertainment News: Latest Bollywood, Hollywood News, South Cinema, Celebrity Gossip Today, Latest Movie News
