Berlin's Berlinale: Celebrities Dodge Politics, Sparking Debate
TL;DR
At the 2026 Berlinale, the storytelling around politics has taken center stage as many attendees and organizers avoid political commentary on issues like Gaza and fascism; Wim Wenders urged staying out of politics, Arundhati Roy pulled out in protest, and press conferences became a battleground over whether artists should speak up, with a few voices like Rupert Grint criticizing fascism while others remain quiet, prompting ongoing debate about the artist’s duty in political discourse.
- Why the Sidelining of Politics in Berlin Is Causing a Stir: ‘If an Artist Is Afraid to Speak Up’ About ‘Fascism, They Shouldn’t Be Coming’ Variety
- Berlin film festival defends Wim Wenders after Arundhati Roy attacked ‘jaw-dropping’ comments The Guardian
- Politics Take Center Stage at the Berlinale as Social Media Backlash Looms The Hollywood Reporter
- Arundhati Roy ‘shocked’ by jury’s Gaza remarks, quits Berlin film festival Al Jazeera
- Arundhati Roy boycotts Berlin fest premiere of her revamped 1980s cult classic – the film shows why France 24
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