"More than 80 actors, directors and writers who are current or former participants in Germany's Berlin International Film Festival have signed an open letter condemning the organization's "institutional silence" and "censoring" over the war in Gaza. The open letter, first published by leading US entertainment trade magazine and website Variety, was signed by the likes of British actress Tilda Swinton, Spanish actor Javier Bardem, Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles and British filmmaker Mike Leigh."
"It comes in response to comments made by the head of the festival's jury, German filmmaker Wim Wenders, who last week responded to a journalist's question about the lack of a public statement on Gaza by stating that "We should stay out of politics." Award-winning Indian author and filmmaker Arundhati Roy pulled out of this year's Berlinale in response to Wenders' comments."
""We are dismayed at the Berlinale's involvement in censoring artists who oppose Israel's ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and the German state's key role in enabling it," the statement joint statement reads. Numerous international rights organizations and a UN commission of inquiry have found Israel's war in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, to be a genocide."
More than 80 actors, directors and writers who are current or former participants in Germany's Berlin International Film Festival condemned the festival's institutional silence and censoring over the war in Gaza. Signatories include Tilda Swinton, Javier Bardem, Fernando Meirelles and Mike Leigh. The criticism followed jury president Wim Wenders' remark that "We should stay out of politics" when asked about a public response on Gaza. Arundhati Roy withdrew from the festival in protest. Signers accused the festival of censoring artists who oppose Israel's actions. Numerous international rights organizations and a UN commission have found Israel's campaign in Gaza to be genocide, while Israel rejects those accusations. The International Court of Justice is hearing a case alleging violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention.
Read at www.dw.com
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