A highly charged Berlinale closing ceremony saw multiple winners condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing it as “genocide”.
One winner, Abdallah Alkhatib, who picked up the evening’s Best Feature Debut prize for his film Chronicles From the Siege, also criticized the German government for what he described as its “complicity” in Israel’s actions.
The speech saw the ceremony’s host Désirée Nosbusch become emotional and get into back-and-forth with audience members who called out in support of the criticism of Israel and the German government. She reminded the audience and TV viewers that artists’ personal views don’t necessarily reflect those of the publicly-backed Berlinale. She also called on those heckling in the crowd to remain respectful.
Earlier in the night, winner Marie-Rose Osta also called out “a genocide empowered by veto powers and the collapse of international law”: “In reality children in Gaza, in all of Palestine, and in my Lebanon do not have superpowers to protect them from Israeli bombs […] No child should need superpowers to survive a genocide empowered by veto powers and the collapse of international law.”
Tom Courtenay, during his speech for best supporting actor, lamented what he described as “America seemingly turning its back on Europe”.
Silver Bear winner Emin Alper, director of Salvation, spotlighted those in Palestine, Turkey and Iran, saying “they are not alone”.
Rose actress Sandra Hüller, winner of the best lead performance award, thanked the night’s winners and other speakers on stage for “speaking truth”.
Festival chief Tricia Tuttle closed the ceremony by saying that the festival embraced “complexity” and free speech.
The evening kicked off with a speech from a “teary” Tuttle in which she acknowledged the “emotionally charged” edition, and a considered speech from jury president Wim Wenders in which he discussed the need for dialogue, compassion and respect. Wenders thanked Tuttle and acknowledged that they “had been through a storm together”.
This year’s Berlinale has been dominated by political discourse and back-and-forth between filmmakers, journalists and the festival. Tuttle described the edition during her speech this evening as “emotionally charged” and a “challenge”.
The turbulence started after a backlash over comments by jury president Wim Wenders in the opening press conference nine days ago in which he appeared to say that filmmakers should stay out of politics, although the meaning of his words is still up for debate.
That beginning set off ten days of actors and filmmakers being asked at press conferences for their stances on global political issues, and social media angst over those responses. More than 100 actors and filmmakers, including A-listers Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, wrote an open letter criticising the festival’s position on the Israel Gaza conflict.
The festival sought to quieten frustration by issuing a lengthy statement in the middle of the edition. Tuttle also defended the festival and its jury in multiple interviews.