The opening of the International Film Festival in Berlin was dominated by protests against right-wing extremism. At an event organized by the Berlinale, actresses such as Jella Haase and Katja Riemann shouted “Defend Democracy” on the red carpet on Thursday evening. There were also plenty of other political statements from other stars.
“The Berlinale has a lot: a lot of space for dialogue between people and art. But she has no room for hate. Hate is not on our guest list,” said Berlinale co-director Mariette Rissenbeek during the gala. “Many people in the Berlinale team, but also in the circle of friends and acquaintances, are affected by the AfD’s intentions to expel and deport people with a migrant background. We as a festival cannot and do not want to tolerate that.”
Representatives of the AfD are not welcome at the festival
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) emphasized: “The Berlinale stands for cosmopolitanism, for freedom, for democracy, variety, diversity, solidarity and cohesion. The AfD does not support that.’ The background was a debate about the invitation and the non-invitation of several AfD politicians to the opening gala. After international criticism, the Berlinale excluded the party representatives.
Berlin’s AfD state and parliamentary group leader Kristin Brinker had criticized the non-invitation as a “cultural-political beacon”. A few days ago she pointed out that she had been invited for two years and had accepted the offer.
Minister of Culture: “Our democracy is also not immune”
For example, at the opening gala, German State Minister of Culture Claudia Roth focused on conflicts and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. “Our democracy is not immune either,” she said. “It is threatened by its enemies.” With regard to right-wing populists and right-wing extremists, Roth spoke about enemies of the open society.
Some actors and actresses also made political statements on the red carpet. Several people wore buttons with the inscription ‘Berlinale against right-wing extremism’. When asked why it was so important for her to set an example for democracy, actress Haase said: “Because it frightens me with what indifference, with what normality people almost go to the polls and put their cross on parties. distinguish themselves with right-wing radical ideas.”
Several people also carried signs in memory of the victims of the 2020 racist attack in Hanau, the anniversary of which fell on February 19.
Source: Krone
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