Arundhati Roy Withdraws from Berlinale Over Political Stance

Renowned author Arundhati Roy has announced her withdrawal from the Berlinale film festival, following comments made by the festival's chief jurist, Wim Wenders, suggesting that filmmakers should remain apolitical. The festival, which kicked off on Thursday, faced immediate scrutiny over its stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza when Wenders stated that while film has the potential to change the world, it should not engage in political matters. He emphasized that filmmakers should act as a counterbalance to politics rather than inject political narratives into their work. Roy, who had intended to participate in a screening of her classic 1989 film "In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones," expressed her dismay at Wenders' remarks, calling them "unconscionable" and highlighting the danger of silencing necessary discussions surrounding significant global issues, such as the conflict in Gaza. In her statement, she lamented that the idea of art being non-political is alarming, as it effectively shuts down conversations concerning acts of inhumanity occurring in real-time. She stated, "To hear them say that art should not be political is jawdropping. It is a way of shutting down a conversation about a crime against humanity even as it unfolds before us in real time, when artists, writers, and filmmakers should be doing everything in their power to stop it." Roy has consistently voiced her concerns regarding the treatment of the Palestinian people and the complicity of various governments, including Germany and the United States, in the violence in Gaza. The Berlinale jury, which includes several notable figures from the film industry, faced questions regarding the financial and moral support that the German government provides to Israel, leading to further discussions about the complexities of political expressions in art. While discussing these issues, juror Ewa Puszczyńska described the question of political responsibility as "complicated" and somewhat unfair, suggesting that the filmmakers cannot be held accountable for individual interpretations of their work. Roy's withdrawal highlights the intersection of art and politics and the responsibilities that creators bear in the face of global injustice. In her closing remarks, she argued that if prominent artists choose to remain silent during such critical times, they risk being judged harshly by history. She concluded with a reflection about her film, which she described as a whimsical narrative crafted 38 years ago, emphasizing the importance of storytelling that resonates with the contemporary political landscape. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2