Director Jim Jarmusch ‘disappointed and disconcerted’ by Mubi’s funding from Sequoia

At the Venice Film Festival, acclaimed independent director Jim Jarmusch unveiled his latest film, "Father Mother Sister Brother," and took the opportunity to address the recent funding developments surrounding Mubi, the streaming service that co-produced his project. Jarmusch expressed his discomfort regarding Mubi's recent $100 million investment round led by Sequoia Capital, stating, "I was disappointed and disconcerted by this relationship." He clarified that his collaboration with Mubi predated this funding and praised their support during the film's production. However, the filmmaker's remarks came amid growing unease within the creative community. A group of filmmakers, many of whom are associated with Mubi, have publicly condemned the platform for accepting funds from Sequoia, particularly due to the latter's involvement with Israeli defense technology firm Kela. They argue that this financial relationship implicates Mubi's growth in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In response to the backlash, Mubi's founder and CEO firmly rejected claims connecting their operations to military funding, describing such suggestions as "simply untrue." Jarmusch, while distancing himself from Mubi's corporate decisions, acknowledged the complexities of financing in the film industry, asserting, "All corporate money is dirty." His candid reflections at the press conference underscore the delicate balance filmmakers must navigate in securing funding while maintaining their ethical convictions.