Indian author Arundhati Roy has taken a stand against the organizers of this year’s Berlin Film Festival, announcing her withdrawal from the event. This decision follows comments made by jury president Wim Wenders regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Israel’s military actions.
Roy expressed her shock and disgust at Wenders’ remarks during a press conference, where he stated that cinema should remain apolitical. She was invited to present a restored version of her 1989 film, In Which Annie Gives It Those One, but has since reconsidered her participation.
In a statement to AFP, the author described Wenders’ and the jury’s comments as “unconscionable,” leading her to withdraw with “deep regret.” Roy criticized the notion that art should remain separate from political discourse, labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza as “a genocide of the Palestinian people by the State of Israel.” She emphasized that silence from artists on such monumental issues would be judged harshly by history.
The Berlin Film Festival responded to Roy’s decision with an acknowledgment of her stance, expressing regret that her presence would not contribute to the festival’s discussions. A spokesperson stated that the festival respects such choices, which reflect the seriousness of the issues at hand.
During the press conference, Wenders was questioned about Germany’s support for Israel. He maintained that filmmakers should not engage in political matters, indicating that their role is to serve as a counterbalance to politics. Jury member Ewa Puszczynska further noted that it would be unreasonable to expect the jury to take a stance on such complex political matters.
Despite its tradition of bold and relevant programming, this year’s Berlinale has faced criticism for not adequately addressing pressing global issues. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has deep roots, intensified by a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to significant casualties. According to official figures, the attack resulted in 1,221 Israeli deaths. In retaliation, Israeli military actions have reportedly caused extensive fatalities in Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry citing around 71,000 deaths.
The situation remains dire and complex, as the festival grapples with its artistic responsibilities amid significant global turmoil.