Award-winning Indian author Arundhati Roy has withdrawn from the Berlin International Film Festival, stating that comments made by members of the festival jury regarding the relationship between politics and cinema left her “shocked and disturbed.”
Roy had been scheduled to attend the festival to present a restored version of the 1989 film In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones, a project she both wrote and acted in. However, she announced her decision not to participate following a press conference during which jury president Wim Wenders addressed questions concerning the Gaza conflict and Germany’s support for Israel.
Responding to a question about the political context, Wenders remarked that cinema should not enter the political arena and described filmmakers as a “counterweight to politics.” The comments prompted strong criticism from Roy, who said she found the position “jaw-dropping.” In a public statement, she characterised the remarks as “unconscionable” and said they compelled her to reconsider her involvement in the event.
Roy further described Israel’s military actions in Gaza as genocide, adding that history would judge artists who chose silence over speaking out during moments of crisis.
Festival organisers said they respected Roy’s decision while expressing regret that she would no longer be part of the programme or its broader conversations.
Her withdrawal follows similar actions by others. Two restored films by late Egyptian filmmakers — Sad Song of Touha by Atteyat Al Abnoudy and The Dislocation of Amber by Hussein Shariffe — were also pulled from the festival, reportedly over concerns related to the event’s stance on the ongoing conflict.
The Berlin Film Festival has historically showcased programmes engaging with contemporary social and political themes. However, this year’s edition has been marked by heightened tensions surrounding the war in Gaza. Similar controversy surfaced in 2024, when the award-winning documentary No Other Land drew criticism from German officials over remarks made during its award acceptance.
The current conflict began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, in which more than 1,200 people were killed. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, according to official figures, intensifying global debate and division — including within cultural and artistic forums.
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