Trump's harsh criticism at the Berlin festival

 

Filmmakers Criticize Trump's Influence at Berlin Film Festival

Berlin, February 14, 2025 — The 75th Berlin Film Festival commenced with prominent filmmakers expressing concerns over the impact of President Donald Trump's administration on the arts and global politics.

Todd Haynes, serving as the festival's jury president, highlighted the pervasive anxiety among American filmmakers. He remarked, "We're in a state of particular crisis right now in the U.S., but also globally. How this return of this Trump presidency will affect filmmaking is a real question hanging over all American filmmakers."

Reuters

British actress Tilda Swinton, upon receiving the Golden Bear for lifetime achievement, delivered a poignant speech condemning "state-perpetrated and internationally enabled mass murder." She criticized "greed-addicted governments" and emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, stating, "The inhumane is being perpetrated on our watch."

The Guardian

The festival's new director, Tricia Tuttle, underscored the event's role as a platform for political discourse. She described the festival as "a rejection and an act of resistance to all of the perverse ideas that many far-right parties across Europe and the whole world are spreading."

Screen

These statements reflect a broader concern within the international film community about the challenges posed by political shifts and the importance of maintaining artistic integrity during turbulent times.

Filmmakers Criticize Trump's Influence at Berlin Film Festival.