Berlinale Declares Fest A Place Of Open Discussion Amid Middle East Crisis: “We Are concerned To See Anti-Semitism, Anti-Muslim Resentment & Hate Speech Are Spreading”
deadline.comThe Berlinale put out a statement expressing its sympathy for the “victims of the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East” and making it clear that its 74th edition would be a place for filmmakers on all sides of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, at its press conference on Monday.
Festival co-heads Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek read out the statement ahead of unveiling the Berlinale’s Competition and Encounters titles on Monday.
It followed in the wake of demonstrations at the Sundance Film Festival over the weekend as pro-Palestinian protestors hit Park City on Sunday, closing down its major highway of Main Street. “Festivals provide a space for artistic expression and enable peaceful dialogue.
They are places of encounter and exchange and contribute to international understanding. We believe that through the power of films and open discussions, we can help foster empathy, awareness, understanding, even and especially in painful times like these,” read out Chatrian. “Our sympathy goes out to all the victims of the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and elsewhere.
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