“Cinema (…) can inspire and influence people who can change the world”, declared Volodymyr Zelensky at the opening of the Berlinale. The protest decided to shine its spotlight on Ukraine.
“Culture and cinema cannot be outside of politics, when it comes to a policy of aggression, mass crimes, murders, terror (…), a policy of total war as is that of Russia”, continued the Ukrainian president, speaking by video.
The leader is at the center of the documentary event of this festival, “Superpower”, filmed by Sean Penn in the midst of the Russian invasion almost a year ago, and which is to be presented on Saturday.
“Art cannot be neutral”
“In these times, art cannot be neutral” and if culture “remains silent, it contributes to evil”, continued the one who was an actor before being elected president, thanking the German festival which has programmed several films Ukrainians and repainted its Golden Bear in yellow and blue, the colors of Ukraine.
Returning from a stay in Kiev, Sean Penn himself, moved, testified on stage to the state of mind of the Ukrainians which according to him has “not changed” since the invasion: “their will is simply reinforced “, added the American actor and director. “There is an extraordinary solidarity and unity that should inspire us all.”
“Heroes of Our Time”
Mr. Zelensky, who has already called for support from the world of cinema at the opening of the last Cannes festival, had been described earlier in the day as “a hero of our time” by American actress Anne Hathaway.
This presented “She Came To Me”, an out-of-competition film which opens the festival, where she plays alongside Peter Dinklage, one of the main actors of “Game of Thrones”, and Marisa Tomei, seen especially in several Marvel.
Anne Hathaway thanked the Berlinale “for giving everyone the opportunity to amplify Ukraine’s message: the almost universal desire for peace”.
Majority female jury
Thursday morning, Kristen Stewart, president of the jury, affirmed for her part that “in response to a world which is collapsing around us (…), it is a huge opportunity to be able to highlight magnificent things “.
The 32-year-old American actress is the youngest president of the jury in the history of the Berlin festival, the third in Europe behind Cannes and Venice.
Having gone from the “Twilight” series to independent cinema, notably with Olivier Assayas, Stewart has, at her side, a mainly female jury, with the Iranian actress exiled in France Golshifteh Farahani, seen in Hollywood in particular in “Paterson”, or even the Spaniard Carla Simon, winner of the 2022 Golden Bear with “Nos soleils”.
Berlin, symbolic city
“It’s very symbolic to be in Berlin, the city where the wall fell” in a world where another wall is currently erected against freedom, said the Iranian artist, in reference to Ukraine but also to Europe. ‘Iran.
His country, where director Jafar Panahi has just been released on bail after seven months in prison, will also have a place of choice in a Berlinale which aims to be the voice of artists in resistance. Saturday, an exceptional climb of the steps is planned, in solidarity with the Iranians.
Several films on this country are listed in parallel sections and discussion sessions will focus on the evolution of the protest movement against the regime which has erupted since September.
Swiss films
Thirteen Swiss films and co-productions will be on offer. Two Swiss films are in the running for the Golden Bear.
On the star side, several are back at the Festival. American Steven Spielberg will come to present his most autobiographical film (“The Fabelmans”) and will be awarded an Honorary Golden Bear for a career that changed the history of cinema, from “Jaws” to “AND”.
ats, afp