Indian writer and human rights activist Arundhati Roy has withdrawn from the Berlin International Film Festival, expressing strong اعتراض over comments made by members of the festival’s jury regarding the ongoing war in Gaza.
According to Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Roy described the jury members’ remarks on Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as “unacceptable.” She argued that such statements undermine efforts to address what she termed a “genocide” against Palestinians.
In an article published by Indian news outlet The Wire, Roy criticized jury president Wim Wenders for saying that art should not be political. She said the comment appeared to discourage artistic engagement with the situation in Palestine.
Roy alleged that Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide and accused governments, including the United States and Germany, of supporting and financing the war effort, thereby sharing responsibility.
During a festival discussion, Wenders reportedly responded to a journalist’s question about the German government’s stance on Gaza by saying filmmakers should stay out of politics. He maintained that artists should focus on human stories, while political decisions belong to politicians. Another jury member, Polish producer Ewa Puszczynska, said filmmakers should not be held responsible for government policies and that equal attention should be given to other global conflicts.
Roy had been scheduled to attend this year’s festival, where her 1989 film In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones was selected for screening in the Classics section. The festival is running from February 12 to 22.
Germany is one of the largest arms exporters to Israel after the United States. The country has faced criticism for measures aimed at curbing pro-Palestinian solidarity activities. In 2024, more than 500 international artists, filmmakers, and writers called for a boycott of German state-funded cultural institutions, alleging restrictions on freedom of expression.
