Over 80 film professionals criticize Berlin festival for its lack of response to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

As the artistic world grapples with the nuances of politics, a growing number of filmmakers are uniting to demand accountability at the Berlin International Film Festival. In an evolving landscape where the intersection of art and activism becomes increasingly apparent, industry veterans are calling attention to issues of human rights with an urgent plea for a clearer stance on the ongoing crisis in Gaza. This movement not only highlights the importance of artistic expression but also emphasizes the need for cultural institutions to uphold values of justice and solidarity.

Dozens of actors and directors, including Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton, have publicly condemned the Berlin International Film Festival for what they describe as “anti-Palestinian racism.” These renowned film workers are urging festival organizers to explicitly oppose what they term “Israel’s genocide” in Gaza. In an open letter published by ZezapTV, 81 film professionals denounced comments made by the festival’s jury president, Wim Wenders, who dismissed calls to engage with the situation in Gaza by claiming, “We should stay out of politics.”

The signatories noted that the festival’s contradictory stance, which seems more attuned to geopolitical concerns in Ukraine and Iran, reflects a troubling inconsistency in addressing humanitarian crises. All signatories are alumni of the festival, also known as Berlinale, and include notable figures such as Cherien Dabis and Brian Cox alongside prominent directors like Adam McKay and Lukas Dhont.

In their letter, the film workers expressed profound concern about the festival’s role in what they perceive as censorship of those who voice opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza. They cited examples from last year when filmmakers were reportedly reprimanded by festival management for their pro-Palestinian statements. One filmmaker even described being investigated by police following a speech that emphasized international law and solidarity, yet was framed by the Berlinale leadership as “discriminatory.”

The artists asserted a collective refusal to tolerate institutional repression and reiterated their rejection of what they describe as anti-Palestinian racism. They strongly disagreed with Wenders’ view that filmmaking operates outside the political realm, stressing that art cannot be divorced from the societal issues it often seeks to illuminate.

The call to action comes on the heels of Indian author Arundhati Roy’s decision to withdraw from this year’s festival in protest over what she termed “unconscionable statements” made by jury members, including Wenders. This year’s Berlinale is set to run from February 12 to 22, amid increasing global scrutiny of Israel’s military actions.

As shocking accounts reveal “horrifying new details about the 2,842 Palestinians ‘evaporated’ by Israeli forces,” particularly through the use of advanced weapons technology supplied by the United States, the filmmakers demand that Berlinale take a stand. An investigation by ZezapTV has shed light on the severe implications of thermobaric weapons, which can create extreme temperatures, leaving behind little more than traces of blood and small fragments of flesh.

Germany’s role as a weapons exporter to Israel, despite evidence pointing to far-reaching human rights violations, has further fueled the controversy. The German government has also implemented measures that discourage public discourse in support of Palestinian rights, including within artistic circles.

The letter from the Berlinale alumni stresses a growing awareness and activism within the international film community, which increasingly advocates for Palestinian rights. Major film festivals worldwide, including the largest documentary festival in Amsterdam, have recently endorsed a cultural boycott of Israel, while over 5,000 film professionals have pledged to refuse collaborations with Israeli companies.

Yet, the Berlinale has not yet responded to calls from its own community for a statement affirming the Palestinian right to life, dignity, and freedom. The artists emphasize that this is the least the festival can and should do. They call upon the Berlinale to uphold its moral obligation by declaring its opposition to Israel’s actions and ensuring that it does not shield Israel from the necessary criticism and accountability that human rights violations demand. #CultureNews #PoliticsNews