Arundhati Roy withdraws from Berlin Film Festival over Gaza statements.

Arundhati Roy withdraws from the Berlin Film Festival, calling the jury’s comments on Gaza reprehensible and accusing Western governments of supporting Israel’s activities in Gaza.

NEW DELHI (Web Desk) – Indian novelist Arundhati Roy has announced her resignation from the Berlin International Film Festival, citing “unforgivable” statements by jury members against Gaza.

Roy wrote in The Wire, criticizing statements made by the festival jury, notably chairman Wim Wenders, who reportedly remarked that “art should not be political.” She said that such remarks are an attempt to silence debate of what she calls crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Roy expressed outrage and fury, stating that artists, authors, and filmmakers should utilize their platforms to advocate for an end to the war.

She denounced the situation in Gaza as genocide against Palestinians and accused numerous Western countries, notably the United States and Germany, of providing military and financial assistance to Israel.

During the festival’s opening panel, a journalist questioned jury members about Germany’s position on Gaza and the selective application of human rights. Wenders stated that filmmakers should stay away from politics since their roles differ from those of politicians.

Another jury member, Polish producer Ewa Puszczynska, allegedly criticized the issue as unjust, claiming that filmmakers cannot be held accountable for government decisions and adding that other problems throughout the world receive less attention.

Roy had planned to attend the festival, which runs from February 12 to 22, because her 1989 film “In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones” had been chosen for screening in the Classics category.

The dispute comes amid broader criticism of German state-funded cultural organizations, with hundreds of foreign artists asking for boycotts in 2024 due to claimed limitations on pro-Palestinian speech.