French-Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass highlights politics in cinema at Berlin Film Festival

This year’s Berlin Film Festival kicked off with a debate about where cinema should draw its boundaries, but for prominent French-Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass, art must always be a form of protest. At Thursday’s opening press conference, jury president Wim Wenders sparked controversy by suggesting films shouldn’t venture into politics.

“I don’t agree,” Abbass told AFP. “There’s a lack of courage among people in the film world — among some, not all.” Abbass gained global renown for her role as Marcia Roy in HBO’s Succession and is currently starring in two films that carry powerful political messages.

In Tunisian director Leyla Bouzid’s “In a Whisper,” Abbass portrays LGBTQ life in Tunisia where same-sex relationships are illegal. She noted, however, that homophobia isn’t limited to her region. In Lebanese filmmaker Danielle Arbid’s “Only Rebels Win,” she plays a Christian Palestinian living in Beirut who struggles with societal backlash due to her relationship with a younger migrant from South Sudan.

The production of this film was abruptly moved from Beirut to a studio near Paris after Israeli bombardments between September and November 2024 forced a change. According to Abbass, the filmmakers turned these circumstances into “an act of resistance,” with her remaining committed to ensuring the film could be made despite government restrictions.

She had previously faced challenges for another film, “Palestine 36,” co-directed by Annemarie Jacir, which had been delayed due to the war in Gaza. The actor credited the Academy Awards’ inclusion of three films showcasing Palestinian experiences on its shortlist with open-mindedness and commended their efforts to get these films closer to the Oscars despite Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza.

In a testament to cinema as a form of resistance, Abbass highlighted how her work addresses issues like LGBTQ rights, societal intolerance, and the impacts of war. Her commitment to highlighting underrepresented voices within filmmaking underscores the festival’s mandate to engage with complex socio-political issues through art.