‘We Have to Stay Out of Politics’

The Berlin Film Festival got off to a political start on Thursday as the competition jury, led by Wim Wenders, fielded several questions about the current state of the world, including the war in Gaza.

Asked if films can affect change in the political realm, the celebrated German director said that “movies can change the world,” but “not in a political way.”

“No movie has really changed any politician’s idea. But we can change the idea people have of how they should live,” he continued. “There’s a big discrepancy on this planet between people who want to live their lives and governments who have other ideas. So I think films enter that discrepancy.”

Wenders is serving as president of this year’s jury, which includes American helmer Reinaldo Marcus Green (“King Richard”), Japanese filmmaker Hikari (“Rental Family”), “The Zone of Interest” producer Ewa Puszczyńska, Nepalese director Min Bahadur Bham (“Shambala”), South Korean actress Bae Doona and Indian director-producer Shivendra Singh Dungarpur (“Celluloid Man”).

The jury was then questioned specifically about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the support the German government — which funds much of the festival — has shown for Israel.

Puszczyńska was the first to respond, saying that she felt the question was “a bit unfair.”

“Of course, we are trying to talk to people — every single viewer — to make them think, but we cannot be responsible for what their decision would be to support Israel or the decision to support Palestine,” she said. “There are many other wars where genocide is committed, and we do not talk about that. So this is a very complicated question and I think it’s a bit unfair asking us what do you think, how we support, not support, talking to our governments or not.”

Wenders added that as filmmakers, “We have to stay out of politics because if we make movies that are dedicatedly political, we enter the field of politics. But we are the counterweight of politics, we are the opposite of politics. We have to do the work of people, not the work of politicians.”

The livestream of the press conference experienced technical difficulties during this question, with some inquiring if the feed was cut purposefully. But the Berlinale said in a later statement: “We had technical problems with the web streaming of the Press Conference with the International Jury this morning. We would like to extend our sincere apologies. The full recording of the Press Conference will be made available on the Berlinale Website and on YouTube as soon as possible.”

Elsewhere during the press conference, Wenders — who is no stranger to the Berlinale, having received an honorary Golden Bear in 2015 — talked about what makes the festival stand out from others. “You can be sure you’ll see more facets of the world than in any other festival,” he said. “That’s their great strength, you know?”

The 76th edition of the Berlin Film Festival kicks off on Thursday night with the premiere of Shahrbanoo Sadat’s “No Good Men” and runs until Feb. 22.