“The Russian invasion and attacks on civilian targets such as hospitals, schools and homes have caused a human rights and humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine. Our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, the suffering population and the millions who have fled Ukraine.”
“The Berlinale has become a stage for intercultural encounters and a platform for critical discussion of current or historical world events. Art and culture are key elements of democratic societies, and film festivals are places where artists from all over the world, regardless of their country, can show their work and engage in dialogue. It is only in open and creative spaces for reflection that the culture (of cinema) can continue to develop.
On this basis, the festival has not joined the wave of boycotts against filmmakers of Russian origin.
“Even in the face of Russia’s criminal war of aggression, therefore, it cannot be the intention to exclude filmmakers or cultural workers from the Berlinale on the basis of their nationality, or to isolate them,” the festival said. “Too often, it is precisely their works that convey criticism of the respective regimes. Consequently, the Berlinale takes a clear position against a general boycott of cultural works on the basis of their origin, as this would also suppress many critical voices. And the world needs those critical voices.”
State-funded projects, on the other hand, could be boycotted by the festival.
“It is a different matter to exclude official state institutions and, in this case, Russian institutions or delegations, as well as regime support actors, from participating in the Berlinale while the Russian government is waging this cruel war against Ukraine. ”, they affirm.
“The Berlin International Film Festival hopes for an early end to Russian aggression and peace for Ukraine,” the statement concluded.
Previously, the Cannes Film Festival took a stand on Russia, saying that “official Russian delegations” or “anyone linked to the Russian government” were not welcome.
Venice plans to ban Russian delegations, but not independent Russian filmmakers and their works.
Source: Ambito
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