The Berlinale is one of the most political film festivals. And this edition, which marks two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the war between Israel and Gaza dominating the news and in full controversy over the German contest’s invitation to the far-right AfD party at tonight’s opening gala , which he later withdrew, was not going to be less. So much so that the questions that were raised at the press conference of the jury of the official section were more about these topics than about the cinema itself, leading to a tense meeting between some journalists and the seven members of the jury chaired by Lupita NYong’o. , among whom is the Spanish filmmaker Albert Serra.
A journalist asked the director of Pacifiction about his statements in an interview with Rac1 in 2022, where he said that he is “fascinated” by Putin and Trump. “They are characters that transcend the figure of the politician who only seeks consensus,” she said at that time. “My opinion is not relevant. Real politics is much more complex. The statements are taken from a much longer interview that lasted two hours and five minutes,” she assured with a serious gesture this morning before the press.
At his side, Ukrainian writer Oksana Zabuzhko, who was asked directly how she feels sitting next to someone who has expressed such views, stated that she had been interested in discussing the matter with Serra and that, at a dinner with the sworn last night, she had already sold him an Italian copy of her book on the subject of relations between Ukraine and Russia.
American filmmaker and juror Brady Corbet spoke in Serra’s defense: “I can’t imagine that what he was saying wasn’t humorous and without nuance. I’m sure he had a lot more nuance than what that fragment of his statements presents.” German director Christian Petzold was asked for his opinion on the appropriateness of inviting or withdrawing the invitation to members of the German right-wing party: “I waited for this question for a week and forgot my answer.” I think it is not a problem to have five AfD people in the audience. We are not cowards; “If we don’t stand five AfD people in the audience, we will lose the fight,” he concluded.
In this regard, Italian filmmaker and juror Jasmine Trinca added: “Imagine if you had those five fascists watching the films shown at the Berlinale; maybe that would help them broaden their minds a little.” Nyong’o, born in Kenya and raised in Mexico, was also asked if she would have felt comfortable if AfD members had attended the opening ceremony as originally planned. “You asked the question, I guess I should answer it.” “I’m a foreigner here; I don’t know the ins and outs of the German political situation. I’m glad I don’t have to answer that question. I’m glad I don’t have to be in that position,” confessed the winner of the Oscar for best supporting actress for 12 Years a Slave, which is the first time she has attended the Berlin International Film Festival.
Given the continuing political issues, Serra wanted to make his position clear. “I am not Jesus Christ,” and he named the words of former US President Barack Obama when he noted that “not even the United States can solve all the world’s problems.”
