The International Film Festival in Berlin began with a plea against hatred. “The Berlinale has a lot: a lot of space for dialogue between people and art,” said managing director Mariette Rissenbeek. However, there is no place for hate. “Hate is not on our guest list.” Rissenbeek opened the 74th edition together with the artistic director, Carlo Chatrian. Berlinale.
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth said at the opening that the world’s democracies were under attack. “Our democracy is not immune either. It is threatened by its enemies.” Referring to right-wing populists and right-wing extremists, the Minister of State for Culture spoke of enemies of the open society. “They want to decompose and destroy this republic, our liberal democracy.”
Roth went on to say that every film at an international festival, every story that is told, helps us understand each other better. “Against their racism and hatred, we put the beauty of diversity, we put respect and courage, we put joy and understanding, we put empathy and humanity.”
Wegner: “Berlin stands for diversity”
The Green politician continued: “Humanity is indivisible. Our compassion must go to all people.” She was reminiscent of the Iranian filmmakers Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha. A travel ban had been imposed on the two of them, which is why they submitted their competition entry Keyke mahboobe man (My favorite cake) not in person Berlin can present.
Berlin’s governing mayor Kai Wegner also positioned himself against the AfD in his speech. The capital stands for cosmopolitanism, diversity, solidarity, freedom, peace and international understanding. “The AfD doesn’t stand for any of that,” said the CDU politician. He called for people to stand up every day for freedom and democracy and against anti-Semitism, hatred and incitement.
Some actresses and actors also took a stand against the right on the red carpet. Several people wore buttons with the inscription “Berlinale against right-wing extremism,” and actresses like Jella Haase and Katja Riemann shouted at one of them Film Festival organized action: “Defend democracy” (“Defend Democracy”).
Afterwards, Haase was outraged in an interview about the indifference with which the “go to the ballot box is made and the cross is placed on parties that simply clearly and obviously distinguish themselves with right-wing radical ideas.”
Criticism for inviting AfD politicians
In the past few days, the management of the film festival has come under criticism. AfD politicians were also invited to the opening gala. After international criticism, the Berlinale excluded party representatives from the event.
The Berlin AfD state and parliamentary group leader Kristin Brinker criticized the disinvitation as a “cultural-political beacon”. She recently pointed out that she had been invited over the past two years and had taken up the offer.
20 films compete for awards
After the opening gala, the competition celebrated its Irish-Belgian world premiere Small Things Like These (Little things like this) opened by Tim Mielants. The drama, starring Cillian Murphy, is about the revelations about the former Irish Magdalene laundries. From the 1820s to 1996, thousands of pregnant young women were exploited in these church institutions. As a rule, they were also forced to give their newborn children up for adoption to homes and monasteries. In addition to the Irish actor, Emma Watson also plays a role in the film.
This time, 20 films are competing for the Golden and Silver Bears in the Berlinale competition. The two German directors Andreas Dresen are also there With love, your Hilde and Matthias Glasner with Die. Grand prize winners will be awarded on February 24th. Actress Lupita Nyong’o heads the international jury this year.
The International Film Festival in Berlin began with a plea against hatred. “The Berlinale has a lot: a lot of space for dialogue between people and art,” said managing director Mariette Rissenbeek. However, there is no place for hate. “Hate is not on our guest list.” Rissenbeek opened the 74th edition together with the artistic director, Carlo Chatrian. Berlinale.
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth said at the opening that the world’s democracies were under attack. “Our democracy is not immune either. It is threatened by its enemies.” Referring to right-wing populists and right-wing extremists, the Minister of State for Culture spoke of enemies of the open society. “They want to decompose and destroy this republic, our liberal democracy.”