German film ‘Yellow Letters’ wins Berlin’s top prize amid festival controversy over Gaza, with winners using speeches for political solidarity
THE political drama ‘Yellow Letters’ won the Berlin International Film Festival’s top prize, the Golden Bear, on Saturday.
The ceremony was marked by winners speaking out on the Palestinian cause, reflecting the controversy over Gaza that has overshadowed this year’s event.
Directed by German filmmaker Ilker Catak, the film tells the story of a Turkish director and his actor wife suddenly barred from working due to their political opinions.
Jury president Wim Wenders called the film “a terrifying premonition, a look into the near future that could possibly happen in our countries as well”.
While set in Turkey, the film was shot in Germany to emphasise that threats to liberty are universal.
The runner-up Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize went to Emin Alper’s ‘Salvation’, inspired by a true story of a feud between two clans.
In his speech, Alper expressed solidarity with jailed Turkish opposition figures and spoke of “the Palestinians in Gaza living and dying under the most terrible conditions”.
Syrian-Palestinian director Abdullah Al-Khatib won the Best First Feature Award for ‘Chronicles From the Siege’.
He addressed the German government by saying: “You are partners in the genocide in Gaza by Israel.”
His speech received cheers but also some heckling, highlighting the event’s tensions.
Festival director Tricia Tuttle acknowledged this year’s edition had been “emotionally charged” after days of debate on filmmaking and politics.
Wenders had earlier sparked outrage by stating the festival “cannot really enter the field of politics” when asked about Germany’s support for Israel.
An open letter signed by dozens of film industry figures later condemned the festival’s “silence on the genocide of Palestinians”.
Wenders addressed the controversy at the ceremony, asking if political activism and cinema needed to be in competition.
Other winners included German actress Sandra Hueller, who received the Silver Bear for Best Performance for her role in ‘Rose’.
American director Lance Hammer’s ‘Queen at Sea’, starring Juliette Binoche, picked up two awards.
The film also won the Silver Bear Jury Prize, considered the festival’s third most prestigious award.
