US EditionBerlinale Responds After Uproar over Festival's Politics Ban
Berlinale organizers emphasize the right of 278 filmmakers to choose if and how to address political issues amid intense media scrutiny and criticism this festival.
- Late on Saturday, the Berlin Film Festival issued a lengthy note defending artists' freedom to speak and said `Free speech is happening at the Berlinale`.
- At the opening press conference on February 12, Wim Wenders, jury head, said artists must `stay out of politics` when asked about Gaza, prompting immediate social-media backlash.
- This year's programme features 278 films addressing genocide, sexual violence in war, corruption and state power, while filmmakers face pressure to respond politically and often speak through their work.
- Author Arundhati Roy pulled out in protest, actors Michelle Yeoh and Neil Patrick Harris faced online criticism, and Berlinale head Tricia Tuttle published a public reflection defending filmmakers and the jury.
- The dispute sharpened a broader debate about whether artists should comment publicly, as filmmakers at the Berlinale keep speaking constantly over the next ten days and festival organisers emphasise cinema's power to change hearts and minds.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Do filmmakers have to take a political stand at festivals? After debates at the Berlinale, Festival Director Tricia Tuttle is now publishing an appeal. She is protecting the jury.
‘Free Speech Is Happening’ at the Berlinale, Festival Director Tricia Tuttle Promises in Lengthy Statement After Fraught First Days
Festival director Tricia Tuttle responds after the festival's jury and film stars have been asked a number of political questions.
The Berlinale and its director, the American Tricia Tuttle, have issued two communiqués in which they stand “in defense of our filmmakers, and especially of our jury and its president,” Wim Wenders, who has been harshly criticized for not wanting to talk about politics at the festival. At last Thursday’s press conference, the prestigious German filmmaker pointed out that “as filmmakers we must stay out of politics, because if we make films with …
BERLIN. The 76th Berlinale has drawn criticism for its political fear of controversy. Now festival boss Tricia Tuttle is choosing to respond to the "media storm" that she believes has engulfed the festival.
Berlin Film Festival issue statement defending jury after "media storm”, say artists should not be "expected to speak on every political issue raised to them"
The Berlin Film Festival has issued a lengthy statement following what it described as a “media storm that has swept over the Berlinale” in its first few days. The festival got off to a rocky start on Thursday (February 12) after the competition jury – led by German filmmaker Wim Wenders – fielded questions about the conflict in Gaza. When asked if films could trigger political change, Wenders said that “movies can change the world” but “not in …
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