Berlin Film Festival jury questions move to uninvite AfD members

Two prominent members of the Berlin Film Festival's jury voiced their criticism on Thursday regarding the decision to retract invitations extended to hard-right politicians, with one suggesting that the event missed an opportunity to broaden the lawmakers' perspectives.

Initially, five members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party were invited to the opening ceremony alongside other elected officials. However, organizers rescinded the invitations last week following nationwide outrage over revelations of discussions among party members regarding deportations of ethnic minorities at a clandestine meeting.

German director Christian Petzold, whose film "Afire" clinched the festival's Grand Jury Prize last year, and Italian actor Jasmine Trinca expressed their disappointment with the decision, deeming it detrimental to open dialogue.


"We are not cowards," Petzold asserted during a news conference introducing the jury. "If we cannot tolerate the presence of five AfD members in the audience, we risk losing our commitment to freedom of expression."

Trinca, whose TV series "Supersex" delves into the life of porn star Rocco Siffredi, emphasized the transformative potential of cinema in shaping perspectives. She suggested that the AfD politicians could have benefited from experiencing the curated cinematic works chosen by the Berlinale to reflect the current zeitgeist.

Katrin Brinker, the AfD's leader in Berlin, whose invitation was revoked, criticized the decision as a capitulation to pressure from cultural activists, accusing the festival of marginalizing democratically elected representatives.

The AfD, an anti-immigrant party, has positioned itself as a defender of traditional German culture and a voice for disenfranchised segments of society.

During the press conference, the sound of an air raid siren interrupted proceedings, signaling the end of Russia's recent missile attacks. This underscored the ongoing relevance of current affairs.

Jury president Lupita Nyong'o, known for her roles in "Black Panther" and "12 Years A Slave," sought to redirect the focus back to cinema, emphasizing her status as an outsider to the local political landscape.

Petzold eventually conceded, highlighting the primary purpose of the festival: celebrating and appreciating cinematic artistry.