Instagram/@markruffalo
On the eighth of December, while visiting Lebanon, Ruffalo announced that he would be an executive producer for “All That’s Left of You,” a film centralizing the pain of the Palestinian Nakba. He felt that the film had to be told as a human story of empathy, mercy, and healing, and was so adamantly defended by his followers after that.
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With this platform, Ruffalo embarked on a larger mission-the amazing actor would go on to executive produce with his friend the new project by Cherien Dabis, All That’s Left of You. Calling it an “epic, deeply human story that spans decades,” he mentioned the displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 war with “authenticity, compassion, and grace.”
He explained the film as a narrative not only about history but almost a broader story “for all who have endured oppression, displacement, and violence.” The film is keenly important to Ruffalo in terms of showing choices of humanity over vengeance and could, at the very least, serve as “collective healing and a more just and peaceful future.” Sight and sound release is set for January 9th.
His many followers were quick to praise him for this. However, contrary to goodwill for his stance, many comments expressed support to Palestine. “Thank you for always being loud about what matters…. it truly means a lot to be a voice for the voiceless,” wrote one user, with a watermelon emoji, a symbol for Palestinian solidarity. “Thank you so much from Gaza with love” was yet another comment.
Many drew comparisons between Ruffalo’s activism and his biggest anthem. “Mark you are a true Avenger, a true Hulk, you represent what all the Avengers should have been doing all along speaking up,” one fan declared. “Hulk has always been the best Avenger anyway,” expressed yet another, sentiment resonating far back into the start of the actor’s activism.
Genuine excitement surrounded this film; one reply read, “I got chills: must series.” “I can barely breathe watching this trailer,” commented a user. “And I also cannot wait to series this film. Thank you for all you are doing to amplify this film!” The series of comments demonstrates how deeply stirred just at the prospect of seeing this film, the audience already feels.
Deeply divided being this arena of this conflict, his post, of course, was far from everyone else’s approval. One grating dissent stood uproarously above the sea of support preceding it: The user rebuked him with calling him an “Antisémite, Liar, pro Hamas without a pity for victims of the pogrom on 7/10/2023,” ending with “What a Shame.”
“What about the film in European theaters? @markruffalo” was the question posed by a follower. This comment underlined an eagerness to obtain the film on a global level. Still, most comments surrounded validation and appreciation for a high-profile celebrity willing to stand for causes that resonated with themselves. For many, this represents huge stage amplification for what they consider an all-too-often buried narrative.
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With Ruffalo having announced his involvement as an executive producer for All That’s Left of You, the film project takes on a tone of an actor deeply engaged in social and political humanitarian issues. This is not the first time he has used his platform for advocacy, as seen when he confronted the New York governor. The passionate Internet response to Ruffalo’s announcement heatedly highlights the hunger for such stories on one side and a sway of ‘celebrities’ to get them as wide an audience as possible on the other. The very near release date in January will further fuel impassioned discussion.
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