The Berlin International Film Festival faced up to several ongoing political controversies in a speech-heavy opening ceremony for the 74th edition tonight (February 15).
Following controversy around the invitation then disinvitation of AfD policitians to the ceremony; plus the crisis in Gaza; and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, hosts Hadnet Tesfai and Jo Schuck confronted the political aspect of the festival in their opening remarks.
“Saying ‘this is how we did it in the last 200 years’ is not enough,” said Schuck, in a possible reference to criticism of the festival for inviting AfD politicians due to it being protocol in previous years.
Following controversy around the invitation then disinvitation of AfD policitians to the ceremony; plus the crisis in Gaza; and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, hosts Hadnet Tesfai and Jo Schuck confronted the political aspect of the festival in their opening remarks.
“Saying ‘this is how we did it in the last 200 years’ is not enough,” said Schuck, in a possible reference to criticism of the festival for inviting AfD politicians due to it being protocol in previous years.
- 2/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
The Berlin Film Festival officially kicked off Thursday evening with an eventful opening ceremony at the Berlinale Palast theater in the German capital.
After a divisive build-up to the fest, the opening ceremony was, in contrast, a relatively conventional affair. High-profile attendees included veteran German filmmakers Wim Wenders and Fatih Akin, Phantom Thread actress Vicky Krieps, and international jury president Lupita Nyong’o alongside her fellow jury members Brady Corbet, Ann Hui, Christian Petzold, Albert Serra, Jasmine Trinca and Oksana Zabuzhko.
The evening’s opening film was Small Things Like These, starring Cillian Murphy, who was in attendance with producer Matt Damon and co-star Emily Watson. Directed by Tim Mielants (Peaky Blinders), Small Things Like These is the first Irish film to open the Berlinale.
Related: ‘Small Things Like These’ Review: Cillian Murphy Plays A Father In Torment In ’80s-Set Irish Trauma Tale
Before the pic opened, the crowd inside the...
After a divisive build-up to the fest, the opening ceremony was, in contrast, a relatively conventional affair. High-profile attendees included veteran German filmmakers Wim Wenders and Fatih Akin, Phantom Thread actress Vicky Krieps, and international jury president Lupita Nyong’o alongside her fellow jury members Brady Corbet, Ann Hui, Christian Petzold, Albert Serra, Jasmine Trinca and Oksana Zabuzhko.
The evening’s opening film was Small Things Like These, starring Cillian Murphy, who was in attendance with producer Matt Damon and co-star Emily Watson. Directed by Tim Mielants (Peaky Blinders), Small Things Like These is the first Irish film to open the Berlinale.
Related: ‘Small Things Like These’ Review: Cillian Murphy Plays A Father In Torment In ’80s-Set Irish Trauma Tale
Before the pic opened, the crowd inside the...
- 2/15/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
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