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In the heart of Venice, thousands of people gathered at the Lido on Saturday evening, their voices echoing through the streets in a demonstration of support for the Palestinians and condemnation of the Israeli army's offensive in Gaza. Palestinian flags fluttered along the seashore, and placards called for an end to genocide.

At the centre of this controversy is Pulitzer Prize-winning American investigative journalist, Seymour Hersh. Known for his tenacious reputation, Hersh has made a name for himself by revealing several scandals related to the American army, including the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War and the torture at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

Hersh's latest documentary, produced by Laura Poitras, draws a parallel between the children killed in Gaza by the Israeli army, the children killed by the American army at My Lai, and the children killed during the Holocaust. The film, presented at the Mostra, investigates the civilians, including children, deliberately targeted by the Israeli army in Gaza.

Laura Poitras, a former journalist for the New York Times, approached Hersh 20 years ago for a film produced by Plan B. Poitras doesn't hold back in her interviews with Hersh, delving deep into his controversial views and methods. Hersh is a figure of controversy, having admitted to publishing a story based on a single source and being reluctant to confide in filmmakers Mark Obenhaus and Laura Poitras.

Hersh believes it took the press an excessive amount of time to denounce Israel's actions, predicting that the religious fanatics will take control of Israel and recover Gaza, with dire consequences for the Palestinians. He states that those who are only now realizing it's a genocide should know that this is just the beginning.

The protesters chanted "Stop the propaganda!" and, in French, "Everyone hates the police!" as an exceptional police presence was felt at the Lido. Helicopters flew over the beach, and the anti-riot brigade prevented festival-goers from accessing the protest.

Seymour Hersh refers to the current political climate in the United States as an existential crisis, with Donald Trump's megalomania and lack of information contributing to a bad time for the world. Despite his controversial nature, Hersh's work continues to provoke thought and spark change, making him a crucial figure in investigative journalism.