Far-right AfD deputies are not welcome at the Berlinale
The Berlin Film Festival, known as the Berlinale, has kicked off this year amidst controversy, but not necessarily due to the films being showcased. The heated debate revolves around the question of whether a cultural event that receives subsidies from state institutions has the right to boycott public representatives it deems unpleasant.
The controversy began with an Instagram comment from Luxembourg actress Désirée Nosbusch after she learned that the Festival management had invited four members of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to the opening. It is worth noting that authorities, in the case of cultural events supported by public funds, always request tickets for parliamentary committees involved in cultural policy discussions, regardless of their political affiliation. The Berlinale simply facilitated this process. However, Nosbusch appeared to disagree with this democratic tradition. “It leaves me speechless,” she wrote on her social network. Her post calling for a boycott of these deputies was joined by others, such as Christian Kahrmann, one of the stars of the popular Lindenstraße series, who wrote, “We are debating whether this game should be banned, and the Berlinale invites them.”
As a result of the criticism, a statement emerged, supported by around 200 cultural professionals (although none of them particularly well-known) opposing the Festival’s seemingly unfiltered policy. According to the manifesto’s signatories, the invitations extended to these AfD deputies represent “another example of the hostile and hypocritical climate towards art” in Berlin and Germany. The group expressed that they refuse to “tolerate far-right politicians in our spaces.” The matter gained traction when American industry publications like Deadline reported on the uprising. Under this pressure, the Berlinale felt compelled to respond, condemning the AfD and right-wing extremism, but explaining that the invitations were in line with the event’s political obligations since it is an institution funded with public money.
The German Secretary of State for Culture, Claudia Roth, and the Berlin Senate came to the defense of the festival. Roth stated, “The invitations extended to members of the parliamentary Culture committees align with democratic practices and reflect the federal government’s respect for Parliament and its elected representatives.” However, she did express “great regret” regarding the presence of the AfD in the Bundestag.
Despite the explanations provided, the Netzwerk Film und Demokratie, which encompasses nearly all relevant associations of independent film work in Germany, did not give up its fight. They were adamant about not allowing the AfD deputies at the event.
So, what did the Berlinale ultimately do? They revoked the invitations. “We have formally rescinded the invitations to all previously invited AfD politicians and informed them that they are not welcome at the Berlinale,” announced the festival’s co-directors, Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian, in a statement. This will be the last edition they oversee, and they need to secure future employment in the industry. The rest is simply political posturing…