The Sean Penn-produced satirical series “C*A*U*G*H*T” has dropped out of Mipcom due to the Israel-Hamas war.
“In light of the current situation unfolding in Israel, we have taken the decision not to showcase ‘C*A*U*G*H*T’ at Mipcom this year,” Fremantle said in a statement. “At this time, our hearts and thoughts are with our colleagues and our partners in Israel, and all those affected.”
Australian-made “C*A*U*G*H*T” was meant to hold a Media Mastermind Keynote at the international TV conference in Cannes on Oct. 18. Penn was set to be in attendance, as well as series star Matthew Fox and creator, writer and director Kick Gurry.
The Stan original series follows “four Australian soldiers on a covert mission in a war-torn country,” according to its official plot description. “Mistaken for Americans, they’re captured and produce a hostage video that achieves unexpected viral success, turning them into unlikely celebrities.”
Penn serves as executive producer and plays himself in the series. The cast of “C*A*U*G*H*T” also includes Bella Heathcote (“Pieces of Her”), Erik Thomson (“Black Snow”), Ben O’Toole (“Detroit”), Lincoln Younes (“Last King of the Cross”), Fayssal Bazzi (“Stateless”) and Bryan Brown.
On Saturday, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli civilians, leading Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare war on the Palestinian military organization. According to the Associated Press, the death toll has risen to at least 1,600 on both sides.
On Monday night, Western leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni released a joint statement in support of Israel.
“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism,” the statement reads, adding: “Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities.”
The statement continued, “All of us recognise the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and support equal measures of justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike. But make no mistake: Hamas does not represent those aspirations, and it offers nothing for the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed.”
Pro-Palestine demonstrations took place in various cities on Monday night, including in London, where hundreds of protesters gathered outside of the Israeli embassy, according to the BBC. At the same time, a vigil was held on Downing St. for the victims of Hamas’ attacks, and Prime Minister Sunak spoke at a North London synagogue, saying he would “stop at nothing” to protect the British Jewish community.
