Actors, directors accuse Berlinale of 'anti-Palestinian racism' over Gaza stance

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN - Dozens of actors and directors, including Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton, have accused the Berlin International Film Festival of "anti-Palestinian racism" and urged organizers to clearly state their opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, media reports said Wednesday.

In an open letter published in Variety, 81 film workers criticized what they called the Berlinale’s “involvement in censoring artists who oppose Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.”

The signatories also took issue with comments by this year’s jury president, Wim Wenders, who said at a recent press briefing in Berlin, when asked about Gaza, “We should stay out of politics.”

They argued that the festival’s stance contrasts with its positions on Russia’s war on Ukraine and developments in Iran.

The letter accused the festival of policing filmmakers and cited incidents from last year’s event.

“Last year, filmmakers who spoke out for Palestinian life and liberty from the Berlinale stage reported being aggressively reprimanded by senior festival programmers. One filmmaker was reported to have been investigated by police, and Berlinale leadership falsely implied that the filmmaker’s moving speech -- rooted in international law and solidarity -- was ‘discriminatory’,” the letter said.

“We stand with our colleagues in rejecting this institutional repression and anti-Palestinian racism,” the artists added.

The signatories said they “fervently disagree” with Wenders’ statement that filmmaking is the “opposite of politics,” writing: “You cannot separate one from the other.”

They also said the Berlinale “has so far not even met the demands of its community to issue a statement that affirms the Palestinian right to life, dignity, and freedom,” calling that the minimum it should do.

“Just as the festival has made clear statements in the past about atrocities carried out against people in Iran and Ukraine, 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, and completely end its involvement in shielding Israel from criticism and calls for accountability,” the letter said.

The appeal comes days after Indian author Arundhati Roy announced she was withdrawing from this year’s festival, which runs from Feb. 12-22, citing what she called “unconscionable statements” by jury members, including Wenders.