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After kicking off with a lively press conference, the Berlin Film Festival became even more political when three groups of protesters descended on Potsdamer Platz before the start of the opening night festivities.
In the first, around 50 members of the film industry walked hand in hand down the red carpet. Protesters then turned on their phone flashlights and chanted “defend democracy!” while the same phrase was shown on the Palast’s big screen. The music on the red carpet was turned off for the occasion and protesters wore badges that read “movies unite, hate divides.” Berlinale organizers had planned this demonstration to highlight their decision to withdraw the invitation to members of the far-right AfD political party.
Among the talents were Jonathan Berlin, Meret Becker, Luisa Gaffron, Pegah Ferydoni, Roshanak Khodabakhsh Anne Leppin, Jannis Niewöhner, Murali Perumal, Katja Riemann, Lavinia Wilson and Jessica Schwarz.
“By withdrawing the invitation to the AfD, the Berlinale has clearly positioned itself against right-wing extremism in Germany. On the opening night, the Berlinale invites a group of filmmakers to the red dart to defend democracy, diversity and peaceful union,” said the organizers of the Berlinale, which stands as one of the three most important film festivals of the world along with Cannes. and Venice.
The Berlinale found itself in trouble over the inclusion of far-right politicians, and after widespread backlash, the festival announced on February 8 that they had withdrawn their invitation.
Elsewhere on Potsdamer Platz, two other groups held protests: one involved a group of art workers holding signs saying “no seats for fascists anywhere,” and another was organized by film industry workers. that demanded better working conditions.
Later, red carpet attendees protested in fashion, with actress Pheline Roggan wearing a necklace proclaiming “Fck AfD” and model Papis Loveday holding a sign that read “No to racism! No AfD!”
The Berlinale’s disinvitation to AfD members was a hot topic at the international jury’s press conference on Thursday morning, when president Lupita Nyong’o was asked if she would have attended the opening ceremony. if the politicians’ invitation had remained.
“I am a foreigner here. I don’t know the ins and outs of the political situation here,” Nyong’o said. “I’m glad I don’t have to answer that question. “I’m glad I don’t have to be in that position.”
But jury member Christian Petzold, German director of “Barbara” and “Phoenix,” had a different perspective.
“I think it is not a problem to have five people from the AfD in the audience,” he said. “We are not cowards. “If we do not support five people from the AfD as part of the public, we will lose our fight.”
Cillian Murphy’s film “Small Things Like These” will open the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday night, with the Oscar nominee for “Oppenheimer” in attendance.
The Berlinale will be held from February 15 to 25.