In form of Berlynal Preparations to kick their 75th edition on Thursday, the festival has clarified its position on freedom of expression, which comes to showing solidarity with Palestine.
One in Question post on dialogue and exchange Published on Tuesday, the organizers addressed several expression related topics that are sure to be hot-button as the festival is led to the important general elections of Germany on 23 February.
“All our guests have the right to free speech within the limits of law. The festival said that we also stand about the rights of our filmmakers to talk about the impulses behind their work and their experiences of the world. “Berlinley welcomes various approaches, whether it causes tension or controversy. At the same time, we aim to create an environment in which we can hear and learn from each other, and we ask for respectable dialogue and a certain cultural sensitivity. We also tell guests to understand that when they are protected under free speech, people may disagree. This is also a free speech. ,
Q&A also attempted to answer questions that festivals could be sluggish from the closing ceremony of last year, which saw many filmmakers give political statements about the struggle in Gaza, resulting in criticism unilaterally. Said and in some cases, antisemtic.
Berlinley wrote in response to a question about the closing ceremony, “The previous year’s award ceremony within Germany has many different approaches, and we do not collapse them in a unique perspective.” “As new management, we have reviewed it very seriously and widely consulted it. We understand that many people were upset with an alleged unilateral rather than personal statements made by filmmakers. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of Berlinley instead of individual films or filmmakers to balance the festival and make space for various approaches. Also in the preparation of the new festival, we have worked on our framework to create an atmosphere for training and honorable and safe exchange of our mediators. ,
Regarding German Parliament’s Passing of An AntiseMitism Resolution Last Year – Which Includes Questioning Israel’s Right to Exist and Calling for a Boycott of Israel in Its Definition of Said it would not have an impact on how the festival is run as it is not A “legally binding documents.” However, it said that resolution has a valid aspects regarding warnings of increasing oppositionism in Germany and internationally. We share opinions with other people in Germany, that, if legally applied, other aspects of resolution will interfere with free art and fundamental rights of speech. We also disagree with the widespread classification of Berlinley 2024 in resolution as ‘antisemtic’. There is no tolerance for antisemiamitism in the burlyl. ,
Last year, due to the backlash about pro -Palestine statements, rumors aired that it would be prohibited to wear solidarity symbols. But the organizers clarified that this is not the case, writing: “In the autumn of 2024, an ambiguity in the normal home rules of our umbrella organization, KBB, we came to know until it was shared on social media. We support the interests of our guests and filmmakers in getting accurate information and we immediately requested a clear change that was implemented. The paragraph under consideration is perfectly referred to for a standard German legal provision, about the wear and use of prohibited symbols and signals that are punishablely punishable by laws such as swastika. Wearing or displaying other signs and symbols of national or political expression or solidarity (such as a watermelon pin, a kefih, etc.) is not prohibited and is fully covered by freedom of expression laws. ,
And although Berlinley stated that the event is protected by far-reaching freedom of German speech laws and most dialogues around the Israel-Gaja struggle will be protected, warning festivals. “As” there have been cases where it has been prosecuted “.
The organizers concluded, “As a festival team we feel very sympathetic to those who exclude the language and it is expected to make our honest spaces, where everyone feels that they are dialogue Can join. “
