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Arundhati Roy Exits Berlin Festival Over Gaza Silence

2/14/2026

Summary

Roy Withdraws from Festival

Arundhati Roy withdrew from the Berlin International Film Festival after Wim Wenders refused to answer political questions about Gaza.
Roy was set to present her 1989 film In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones at the festival.
Roy called Wenders' view that art should stay separate from politics unconscionable.
She said this silences discussion of a genocide against Palestinians.
Roy also said that governments including Germany and the United States are complicit in Gaza.

Summary

Roy Rejects Apolitical Stance

Arundhati Roy has withdrawn from the Berlin International Film Festival.
She labeled Wim Wenders' comments that art should remain apolitical as unconscionable and silencing discussions on Palestinian genocide.
She argued artists must oppose injustice and cited the United States and German governments' complicity in Gaza.
The withdrawal reflects a broader divide in the arts community over the Gaza war, deepened since Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack.

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Roy Withdraws from Festival

Arundhati Roy withdrew from the Berlin International Film Festival after Wim Wenders refused to answer political questions about Gaza.
Roy was set to present her 1989 film In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones at the festival.
Roy called Wenders' view that art should stay separate from politics unconscionable.
She said this silences discussion of a genocide against Palestinians.
Roy also said that governments including Germany and the United States are complicit in Gaza.

1 / 2