In recent weeks, tensions at the Berlin Film Festival have reached new heights, as prominent figures from the film industry joined a chorus of protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza. More than eighty influential personalities, including Oscar-winning actors Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton, issued an open letter to AFP expressing their outrage over the festival’s silence regarding the ongoing conflict.
The signatories to this impassioned statement were appalled by Berlinale’s “institutional silence” on Gaza, which they found troubling. They expressed dismay at the festival’s apparent collusion in censoring artists who oppose Israel’s genocidal campaign against Palestinians in Gaza. Their strong stance came after Wim Wenders, the jury president and a celebrated German filmmaker, deflected questions about Gaza by merely stating that the Berlin Film Festival “cannot really enter the field of politics.”
The open letter also criticized Berlinale for failing to make clear statements on other atrocities it has previously addressed—such as those committed against people in Iran and Ukraine. The signatories argue that filmmaking and political advocacy are inherently intertwined, making any such silences particularly egregious.
Among those who signed the letter were Mike Leigh, a renowned British filmmaker known for works like “Secrets & Lies,” and Adam McKay, whose films include “The Big Short” and “Tallulah.” Notably, Swinton herself received the Berlin Film Festival’s prestigious Honorary Golden Bear award just last year.
Their protest not only centered on the Berlin Film Festival’s position regarding Gaza but also extended to what they perceived as the German state’s complicity in Israel’s actions. They demanded that the festival fulfill its “moral duty” by openly opposing Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, a stance they believe aligns with past statements made by the festival on similar atrocities.
Berlinale, which had been involved in controversies surrounding Gaza several times in recent years, responded defensively to the uproar. Director Wim Wenders justified his earlier comments about staying out of politics at the press conference but added that filmmakers should not be expected to speak on every political issue raised to them unless they choose to do so.
This controversy sparked further backlash. Indian novelist Arundhati Roy canceled her planned appearance, describing it as “shocking and disgusting” in light of Wenders’s comments. Fellow jury member Ewa Puszczynska also expressed that the filmmakers were merely being diplomatic when addressing a grave humanitarian crisis.
The Berlin Film Festival has long grappled with balancing artistic expression with political engagement. In 2024, the documentary award was given to “No Other Land,” which documented the displacement of Palestinian communities in Israeli-occupied territories. This film’s creators faced criticism from German government officials for making “one-sided” statements about Gaza.
The escalation came to a head during the jury meeting when Wenders stated that the jury should avoid political involvement. This stance led to controversy, prompting the withdrawal of several films and artists from the festival due to their potential discomfort with the discussions surrounding Israel’s actions in Gaza.
These recent events underscore how Berlinale continues to navigate its unique position as an international arts platform while grappling with profound socio-political issues. The festival’s handling of these complex matters reflects broader debates within the film industry about the intersectionality of art and activism.