Indian novelist Arundhati Roy has opted out of the Berlin Film Festival due to the organizers’ reluctance to address the conflict in Gaza. The Booker Prize laureate expressed her shock and dismay over remarks made during a recent press conference. Jury head Wim Wenders dismissed a question on the Gaza crisis, asserting that cinema should steer clear of politics. Another jury member deemed it unreasonable to expect a stance on the issue.
Roy had plans to participate in the festival to showcase a restored edition of her 1989 film “In Which Annie Gives It Those One,” notable for featuring Bollywood luminary Shah Rukh Khan’s debut. However, she has since withdrawn from the event. In a released statement, Roy criticized the jury members’ reactions as “unacceptable” and labeled their assertion that art should be apolitical as “astounding.”
The acclaimed author condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza as a form of genocide against Palestinians, cautioning that artists and filmmakers who remain silent will face historical judgment. The Berlin Film Festival conveyed its respect for Roy’s decision while expressing regret over her absence, noting that her presence would have enhanced the festival’s discussions.
