International Conflict Collides with Art at Berlinale
The Berlinale film festival jury, featuring renowned filmmakers like Christian Petzold, Lupita Nyong’o, and Oksana Zabuzhko, faced a tense press conference where political questions overshadowed the artistic aspects of the event. Here’s a summary of the key points and differing perspectives:
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:
Petzold declined to answer a question about Gaza, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and peace, echoing his support for a ceasefire in December.
Nyong’o, a signatory to a similar letter, also avoided the direct question.
On the Russo-Ukrainian war:
Zabuzhko, a Ukrainian writer, expressed her willingness to engage with Serra, a fellow juror who admires Putin, despite their opposing views.
Serra defended his nuanced position, emphasizing the need for context beyond soundbites.
Corbet defended Serra, suggesting his views were presented out of context and lacked humor.
Albert Serra
On political discourse at the festival:
Several jurors, including Serra and Trinca, expressed frustration with the constant political inquiries.
Nyong’o, a non-German citizen, acknowledged the complexity of the situation and avoided taking a stance on the AfD controversy.
Jasmine Trinca
Additional context:
The press conference was interrupted by an air raid siren notification from Zabuzhko’s phone, highlighting the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Protests from the German film industry and taxi drivers marked the opening day, reflecting the politicized atmosphere.
Anas Khabir \ ADQ KHABIR 2024 Photo source: ADQ KHABIR
