Berlin Film Festival Faces Criticism Over Silence on Gaza

Berlin, Feb 17 (Reuters) – More than 80 actors, directors and other artists who have participated in the Berlin Film Festival, including Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, have signed an open letter calling on the festival organizers to take a clear stance on Israel’s war in Gaza.

Open Letter Demands Action

The open letter, published Tuesday, states, “We call on the Berlinale to fulfil its moral duty and clearly state its opposition to Israel’s genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes against Palestinians.” The letter cites multiple human rights experts, scholars, and a U.N. Inquiry that have found Israel’s actions in Gaza to amount to genocide. Israel maintains its actions are self-defense following Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel.

Signatories to the letter include actors Adam McKay, Alia Shawkat, and Brian Cox, and director Mike Leigh. The letter expresses dismay at the festival’s “institutional silence” and alleges censorship of artists who oppose Israel’s actions.

Festival’s Response and Previous Criticism

The festival did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

The Berlin Film Festival is considered the most politically engaged of the major film festivals – Venice and Cannes – and has historically prided itself on showcasing cinema from under-represented communities and emerging talent. However, it has faced repeated criticism from pro-Palestinian activists for its perceived lack of a firm position on Gaza, in contrast to its responses to the wars in Ukraine and the situation in Iran.

Industry-Wide Calls for a Stance

The call for a stance extends beyond the Berlinale. Last year, over 5,000 actors, entertainers, and producers signed a pledge not to work with Israeli film institutions they deemed complicit in the abuse of Palestinians. Paramount studio later condemned this pledge, stating its disagreement with such efforts.

Wim Wenders’ Comments and Arundhati Roy’s Withdrawal

The current controversy was sparked by comments made by this year’s jury president, German director Wim Wenders, who stated that filmmakers should “stay out of politics.” The letter’s signatories strongly disagree, asserting that filmmaking and politics are inseparable.

Wenders’ remarks prompted Indian novelist Arundhati Roy, winner of the 1997 Booker Prize for “The God of Small Things,” to withdraw from the festival. Roy, who was scheduled to present her 1989 film “In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones” in the Berlinale’s Classics section, characterized Wenders’ comments as “unconscionable.”

Festival director Tricia Tuttle responded by defending artists’ right to refrain from commenting on political issues, stating, “People have called for free speech at the Berlinale. Free speech is happening at the Berlinale…But increasingly, filmmakers are expected to answer any question position to them,” and are criticized if they do not answer, or answer “and we do not like what they say.”

(Reporting by Miranda Murray; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

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