Berlinale's Spotlight Shifts as Political Debate Eclipses Films
TL;DR Summary
At Berlinale, almost 300 films are on display, but coverage has been dominated by politics—questions about Gaza, Israeli policy, and democratic rights—sparking backlash over filmmakers’ role and prompting defenses from festival leaders while signees like Arundhati Roy and other stars urge stronger stands; organizers emphasize keeping cinema in focus as heated exchanges and open letters reveal the festival’s fraught relationship with politics.
- Berlin Film Festival Tried to Focus on Movies. Politics Stole the Spotlight. The New York Times
- Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton Among 104 Names to Sign Open Letter Criticizing Berlin Film Festival for ‘Silence’ on Gaza: ‘We Are Dismayed’ (EXCLUSIVE) Variety
- Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton among those to condemn Berlinale’s ‘silence’ on Gaza The Guardian
- The ‘Free Speech’ Advocates Who Love Blacklists Commentary Magazine
- Over 80 Berlin Film Festival alumni sign open letter urging organisers to take stance on Gaza Reuters
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