Full Breakdown
Arundhati Roy Withdraws from Berlinale Over Jury's Political Comments
2/14/2026, 11:36:26 AM
Controversial Remarks Spark Withdrawal
Indian author Arundhati Roy has announced her withdrawal from the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) following comments made by the festival's jury president, Wim Wenders. During a press conference on February 12, Wenders stated that filmmakers should "stay out of politics," a remark that Roy described as "unconscionable." She had been scheduled to present a restored version of her 1989 film, *In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones*, in the festival's Classics section.
Roy's decision to withdraw was influenced by the jury's refusal to engage with questions regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the German government's support for Israel. She expressed her shock and disgust at the jury's stance, arguing that such comments effectively silence discussions about what she characterizes as a "crime against humanity" unfolding in real time.
Roy's Perspective on Gaza
In her statement, Roy unequivocally condemned the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza, labeling them as "genocide of the Palestinian people." She further asserted that this violence is supported and funded by the governments of the United States, Germany, and several European nations, rendering them complicit in the ongoing crisis. Roy emphasized the responsibility of artists and filmmakers to speak out against injustice, stating, "If the greatest filmmakers and artists of our time cannot stand up and say so, they should know that history will judge them."
Jury's Defense and Criticism
Wenders defended his comments by suggesting that art should serve as a counterweight to politics rather than engage directly with political issues. Fellow jury member Ewa Puszczynska echoed this sentiment, arguing that it was unfair to expect the jury to comment on government actions regarding the Gaza conflict. She noted that many other conflicts involving alleged genocide receive less attention, complicating the discussion.
Critics, including Roy, argue that such a stance is a way to avoid accountability and shut down necessary conversations about pressing global issues. Roy's withdrawal highlights a growing divide within the arts community regarding the role of artists in political discourse, particularly in relation to the Gaza conflict.
Broader Implications
Roy's decision to withdraw from the Berlinale is not an isolated incident but part of a larger trend where artists and cultural workers are increasingly vocal about political issues. In 2024, over 500 international artists called for a boycott of German-funded cultural institutions, citing "McCarthyist policies" that suppress expressions of solidarity with Palestine. This growing movement underscores the tension between artistic expression and political engagement in contemporary culture.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To hear them say that art should not be political is jaw-dropping.” — Arundhati Roy
- “Let me say this clearly: what has happened in Gaza, what continues to happen, is a genocide of the Palestinian people by the State of Israel.” — Arundhati Roy
- “We have to stay out of politics because if we make movies that are dedicatedly political, we enter the field of politics,” — Wim Wenders
- “It is a way of shutting down a conversation about a crime against humanity even as it unfolds before us,” — Arundhati Roy
Roy's withdrawal from the Berlinale serves as a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about the intersection of art and politics, particularly in the context of global humanitarian crises.
