Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid is a well-known name in the film industry. While Lapid’s work has always sparked conversation, this time, the director got involved in a controversy. The director was set to be part of the jury at the Marseille International Film Festival. However, he was pulled out of the festival amid calls to boycott his participation. 

Despite the recent controversy, Lapid remains one of the most talked-about voices in the entertainment world. His films have been recognized at major international festivals. Over the years, his work has earned several major honors, including the Locarno Festival Special Jury Prize, the Golden Bear, and the IFFI Best Director Award. 

So, here are five films that show his storytelling and vision that defines his filmmaking.

Directed by Nadav Lapid, Synonyms is a satirical drama that follows a former Israeli soldier, Yoav, who escapes to Paris. As he tries to adapt to life in France, he immerses himself in the French language, using a dictionary to learn new synonyms. The film, starring Tom Mercier, Quentin Dolmaire, and Louise Chevillotte, also won the Golden Bear award at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. 

The 2019 film is available to rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Ahed's Knee is a 2021 drama that follows an Israeli filmmaker who travels to the Arava Desert for a screening of one of his films. Directed by Nadav Lapid, the movie stars Avshalom Pollak, Nur Fibak, Yoram Honig, and Yonathan Kugler. The film shared the Jury Prize with Memoria at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. 

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The movie is available to rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Policeman is a 2011 Israeli drama that follows Yaron, who is struggling to balance the demands of his professional and personal life. The psychological and political drama stars Yiftach Klein, Yaara Pelzig, Michael Aloni, and Michael Moshonov. The film is currently unavailable to stream or rent in the United States.

The Kindergarten Teacher follows a kindergarten teacher, Nira, who becomes fascinated by the extraordinary poetic talent of one of her students, Yoav. She is convinced that his gift is being neglected by those around him and becomes increasingly determined to nurture and protect his creativity. But while her obsession grows, the boundaries between mentorship and possession begin to blur, and she claims some of his work as her own.

And this leads to troubling consequences. The movie stars Sarit Larry, Avi Schnaidman, Lior Raz, Hamuchtar, and Ester Rada. And it is currently available to watch on Kanopy and Hoopla.

Yes follows Y., a struggling Jazz musician in Tel Aviv who takes on odd jobs to support his wife and family after the October 7 attacks. They cannot say no to their jobs. His life takes a turn when he is hired to compose a new national anthem with bellicose lyrics. It was featured in the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

The movie is available to rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. The movie is a satirical critique of Israel's ruling class. But the 2025 film has also become the reason for the controversy, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

It also received partial funding from the Israeli Film Fund. This was reportedly criticized by some filmmakers, who argued that Lapid was complicit in the Israeli government's actions and that his work should be boycotted as part of a broader cultural boycott of the country.

Several filmmakers seemingly threatened to withdraw their films if Lapid participated in the festival. Following the reported pressure, the director was pulled out of the event. Later, several members of the French film industry signed an open letter in support of Lapid. It was published in the French newspaper Le Monde.

Among the nearly 100 signatories were Natalie Portman, Justine Triet, Jacques Audiard, Mati Diop, Saïd Ben Saïd, Judith Lou Lévy, and Stéphane Demoustier, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The letter described the boycott of Lapid as an "intellectual failure." The Yes director also supported the open letter that was published in his defense. He spoke with the French news agency AFP and admitted that he agreed with the message.

The debate is unlikely to end anytime soon. Meanwhile, audiences can explore the director's work through these five among his several films. Together, they offer a closer look at Nadav Lapid's creative vision, storytelling approach, and cinematic style. 

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Have you watched any of Nadav Lapid's films and what is your opinion on the controversy? Let us know in the comments.