Germany’s culture minister defends Berlin film festival after criticism over Gaza

“The Berlin Film Festival is a place where representatives of the film world are free to express their thoughts and address any topic,” Weimer told Welt TV, insisting that “that’s exactly what happened.”

Meanwhile, in the previous days, Variety magazine published an open letter of criticism, signed by such famous figures as Spanish actor Javier Barden, American photographer Nan Goldin, British actress, Golden Bear winner Tilda Swinton and other stars of the bid.

“Institutional silence” was how they characterized the position of the festival, “against the Palestinians: genocide”, emphasizing that, meanwhile, the festival had a clear position regarding the pogroms that took place in Iran and Ukraine. Israel denies that it committed genocide in the Gaza Strip, which the German government also supports.

Since the opening of the film festival, which will continue until this Sunday, February 22, various political issues have been regularly raised.

A few days ago, Indian writer, Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy canceled her participation in the film festival, after the chairman of the jury and renowned director, winner of Palme d’Or, Silver Bear, “BAFTA” and Golden Apricot “Parajanov Thaler” Wim Wenders suggested that filmmakers “stay out of politics”.