Artists Demand Berlinale Stand Against Israel's Actions in Gaza

Over 80 artists, including Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, are urging the Berlin Film Festival to oppose Israel's actions in Gaza. Despite human rights experts labeling the actions as genocide, the festival remains silent. Notable figures criticize this silence and call for free speech at Berlinale.

More than 80 actors, directors, and other artists, including Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, have signed an open letter addressed to the Berlin Film Festival's organizers. The letter, published in Variety, urges the festival to publicly oppose Israel's actions in Gaza, labeling them as genocide and crimes against humanity.

The signatories include notable figures such as Adam McKay, Alia Shawkat, Brian Cox, and director Mike Leigh. They express their disapproval of Berlinale's silence and demand a statement supporting Palestinians' rights and artists' freedom of expression on the matter.

The Berlin Film Festival, known for its political stance, remains unresponsive amidst calls to take a definitive position on Gaza, contrasting its actions regarding other geopolitical issues. Criticism has extended to statements made by German director Wim Wenders, leading to Indian novelist Arundhati Roy withdrawing from the festival.