Macabro Director Defends Free Expression After Eli Roth Film Removal

Festival Macabro director Edna Campos champions freedom of expression, asserting that all films should be accessible irrespective of their creators' ideologies. This stance comes after the festival removed Eli Roth's "Ice Cream Man" from its lineup following criticism over the filmmaker's public support for military actions in Palestine.

"People have to see all films, regardless of ideology. From my side, I am in favor of freedom of expression," Campos told EL UNIVERSAL. "I believe films should be seen if people want to see them; if not, we just don't watch them."

The controversy ignited when the collective "Workers of Cinema for Palestine in Mexico" called for a boycott of "Ice Cream Man" on social media. In response, Macabro announced the film's removal, stating in a released statement that the decision considered the concerns voiced by its community. The festival acknowledged that each film in its program is part of a dialogue with its audience and the prevailing context.

Campos further clarified that the festival has no direct ties to Eli Roth, nor was he expected to attend. "We have no relationship with Eli Roth; he wasn't coming or anything. We were just going to screen the film," she explained. Roth, a prominent figure in Hollywood's Jewish community, publicly backed Israel's response to the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. Despite its removal from Macabro, "Ice Cream Man" continues to be screened internationally.