“As an architect, I like to build bridges, not burn them,” said Israeli director Amos Gitai, an architect by training, at the Berlin International Film Festival on Sunday afternoon. He spoke at the world premiere of his latest film “Shikun”. .
Seekun is the only Israeli feature film to be included in the festival, and there were rumors of protests outside the Berlin festival grounds where the film was screened. There was nothing. Inside the theater, the audience applauded respectfully, and about 20 people gave a standing ovation when the director was introduced before the screening.
The message of this film is becoming increasingly important
Like many of Gitai’s films, Seekun is a multi-character, non-story film that focuses on vague criticism of the Israeli government and its policies in the West Bank and Gaza. This work was inspired by the play “Rhinoceros” by absurdist writer Eugène Ionesco. Throughout the film, a French-speaking narrator played by Irene Jacob roams the hallways of Beersheba’s housing projects and bus station, joined by ultra-Orthodox characters, Holocaust survivors, Arabs, and Ukrainians, creating an ominous atmosphere that can be interpreted in many ways. utter a word. The pairing is not unfamiliar to fans of the director, who is more revered in France than in Israel, where refugees and greedy construction contractors also have their share of admonitions.
In a Q&A session after the screening, a man told Gitai and the federal government secretary for culture and media, Claudia Roth, who was also present at the screening, that Germany would sever ties with Germany in view of the “ongoing genocide.” I asked if I should. Netanyahu government. Gitai declined to answer questions, saying: “We will fight to protect our beloved Israel,” and said he would do so through dialogue. He has been an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and has been an outspoken leftist throughout his 50-year career.
Another man called for “ceasefire, ceasefire,” and the audience quickly responded, “Bring back the hostages now.” However, despite some audience comments about the truce, Gitai and the members of the cast who attended the screening, among them Menashe Noy and Hannah Laszlo, were warmly received. Carlo Chatrian, the festival’s artistic director, introduced the film and its director, a gesture of respect to the festival.
The Berlinale is the first to be held in Europe since Hamas massacred more than 1,200 people and took 240 hostages in Israel on October 7, and Israel responded by waging war against Hamas in Gaza. It is a large-scale film festival.
History of the Berlinale’s politically conscious films
The Berlinale, known for its politically engaged films, has welcomed Israeli films since the end of World War II, with many films winning top prizes, including Nadav Lapid’s 2019’s Synonyms. Mariette Rissenbeek, co-director of Chatrian and Berlinale (who served on the jury at the Haifa International Film Festival in October), has addressed the problems caused by the war, but said she would bar Israeli films and creators from the festival. The request was denied.
In a statement released ahead of the festival, they said: “We believe that through the power of film and open discussion, we can foster empathy, awareness and understanding, especially in trying times like these. My condolences go out to all the victims.”
“We recognize the suffering of all people and want our programs to be open to discussing different perspectives on the complexities of the world.” Spaces staffed by Arabs and Jews were set up within the festival to foster dialogue.
Festival staff criticizes Gitai
However, some, including Berlinale staff, criticized the manager’s attitude. More than 50 Berlinale workers signed an open letter earlier this month calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and demanding that the festival leadership take a “stronger institutional stance” against the war.
In January, Canadian video artist John Grayson, Indian-American filmmaker Sunil Sanzgiri, and Ghanaian-Lesotho visual artist Ayo Tsaritaba had their work removed from the Berlinale’s Expanded Forum section. .
In an interview with Variety, Chatrian said that in addition to Sheikun, the Berlinale will also feature the documentary “No Other” by Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra and Hamdan Baral about the developing alliance between Israeli forces and Israelis in the West Bank. He pointed out that “Land” was also shown. Journalist and Palestinian activist.
Director Chatrian said he would understand if some filmmakers did not want to participate in the Berlinale, but added: “We still believe that film festivals are great places for dialogue, and we believe that film festivals are great places for dialogue.” I want to continue,” he said.
At the evening’s opening ceremony, many called for a ceasefire, and some called for the release of hostages held by Hamas. “Hate is not on our guest list,” Rissenbeek said, to applause.
Members of Germany’s far-right party AfD were originally invited to the opening night, but their invitation was rescinded following protests. “By revoking the AfD’s invitation, the Berlinale has clearly demonstrated its stance against right-wing extremism in Germany,” the festival said in a statement.
Shikun is scheduled to be released in Israel and around the world later this year.