Arundhati Roy ‘shocked’ by jury’s Gaza remarks, quits Berlin film festival
Al Jazeera
February 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Arundhati Roy, renowned Indian author and political commentator, has withdrawn from the Berlin International Film Festival following what she described as "unconscionable statements" by its jury members regarding Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza. The controversy began when a journalist asked the festival’s jury about Germany’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza, which Roy called a genocide. Wim Wenders, the jury chair and acclaimed filmmaker, responded by asserting that filmmakers “have to stay out of politics,” arguing that art should remain apolitical and serve as a counterweight to political agendas. His comments were echoed by another jury member, Polish film producer Ewa Puszczynska, who dismissed the journalist’s question as unfair and claimed that filmmakers cannot be held responsible for government actions.
Roy, known for her outspoken criticism of political injustice, expressed her shock at the jury’s remarks, calling them “jaw-dropping.” She argued that artists, writers, and filmmakers have a moral obligation to engage with such issues, particularly when they involve crimes against humanity like the situation in Gaza. Roy emphasized that the war in Gaza is supported and funded by major powers, including the United States and Germany, making them complicit in the violence. Her withdrawal from the festival, where her 1989 film *In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones* was set to screen, highlights the growing tension between art and politics, particularly in contexts where artists are expected to remain neutral despite global human rights crises.
The controversy also sheds light on Germany’s role
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/14/2026