This upcoming Thursday marks the opening of the 75th Berlin Film Festival, taking place under a tense political climate. Beyond the ongoing Israel-Gaza dispute fueling discussion, it’s important to note that Germany will be holding a national election on February 23 – coincidentally falling on the last day of this year’s Berlinale.
A significant surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in public opinion surveys has sparked massive counter-demonstrations across the nation, culminating in around 250,000 protesters gathering in Munich over the weekend.
In 2021, a contentious situation occurred at the Berlinale when the organizers initially followed tradition by inviting members of the AfD from the Berlin parliament to the opening ceremony. However, due to public outcry, they later rescinded the invitation. This year, the organizers have made it clear in an interview with THR that they will not extend an invitation to them.
Keeping this in perspective, the Berlinale published a statement on its website on Tuesday, inviting all attendees, film crews, and viewers to engage in a dialogue that is inclusive, diverse, and respectful. For further details, please check out our FAQs titled “Dialogue & Exchange”.
At the festival, it was made clear that attendees can wear or show items symbolizing support for Palestine without any issues. This clarification comes from revising earlier festival guidelines which were based on German laws against hate speech, specifically regarding symbols like the swastika. The Berlinale emphasized that these guidelines only apply to symbols that are clearly illegal under law, such as the swastika. Other symbols or items representing national or political sentiments (for example, a watermelon pin or a Keffiyeh) are not prohibited and fall under freedom of expression laws.
Yet, the post advises against employing specific terms when debating the Israel-Gaza dispute, explaining that the phrase “from the river to the sea,” often heard at pro-Palestinian rallies, has been deemed by recent German court rulings as a veiled threat to abolish Israel, and thus classified as hate speech that is forbidden.
In a separate Berlinale commentary, the festival’s director, Tricia Tuttle, expresses her views on “freedom of expression, courageous environments, and cinema.
The event we host is a film festival. However, Berlinale represents more than just a gathering for movies; it’s a community of individuals who share a common goal: fostering an inviting, diverse atmosphere centered around cinema. Although the future of independent films and the kind of cultural spaces we strive to preserve should not be taken lightly, there is cause for optimism in both areas.
We uphold free speech as a core value, but experience shows that advocating for it alone is insufficient. To make our voices heard effectively, we must also embody kindness, prioritize truth, and have the hope that others will listen to us.
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2025-02-11 13:24