Indian author Arundhati Roy quits Berlinale after ‘stay out of politics’ Gaza comments

Indian author Arundhati Roy withdrew from the Berlin Film Festival after expressing shock and disgust at comments made by jury president Wim Wenders and other jury members regarding Gaza. Roy was scheduled to present a restored version of her 1989 film, *In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones*, at the festival. The controversy arose during a press conference where Wenders, when questioned about Germany's support for Israel, stated that cinema should "stay out of politics." Roy deemed these statements "unconscionable" and cited them as the reason for her withdrawal. Fellow jury member Ewa Puszczynska also stated it was unfair to expect the jury to take a direct stance on the issue.

Arundhati Roy withdrew from the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) after comments made by jury president Wim Wenders regarding the role of politics in filmmaking. Wenders stated that filmmakers should stay out of politics and act as a "counterweight" to it. Roy, who was scheduled to attend a screening of her restored film, called Wenders' comments "unconscionable" and a way to shut down conversation about the conflict in Gaza. She expressed concern that his statement reached a global audience and contradicted the solidarity she had previously received in Germany regarding her views on Gaza. The controversy arose during the festival's opening, where the jury was questioned about the conflict and Germany's support for Israel.