Art VS. Neutrality: Arundhati Roy Pulls Out Of Berlinale Over Jury’s ‘Apolitical’ Gaza Remarks

BERLIN/NEW DELHI — Acclaimed Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy announced her withdrawal from the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) on Friday, February 13, 2026. Roy, who was scheduled to present a restored print of her 1989 film In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones, cited her “shock and disgust” at the festival jury’s stance on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.+1

The controversy erupted during the opening press conference when jury president and legendary director Wim Wenders suggested that filmmakers should “stay out of politics” to remain a “counterweight” to politicians.

1. The Spark: Wim Wenders’ Remarks

During a heated press session on Thursday, Wenders was questioned about Germany’s support for Israel’s military actions. His response, which Roy later termed “unconscionable,” attempted to draw a hard line between art and activism:+1

• Wenders’ Stance: “We cannot really enter the field of politics… We are the opposite of politics. We have to do the work of people, not the work of politicians.”+1
• The Jury’s Defense: Fellow juror Ewa Puszczyńska called questions about Gaza “unfair,” noting that there are many other global conflicts where genocide occurs that go unmentioned.

2. Arundhati Roy’s Response: “History Will Judge”

In a scathing statement released via media, Roy rejected the notion of apolitical art, especially during what she described as an ongoing genocide.

“To hear them say that art should not be political is jaw-dropping. It is a way of shutting down a conversation about a crime against humanity even as it unfolds before us in real time.” — Arundhati Roy+1

Key Points from Roy’s Statement:

• Genocide Allegation: She explicitly called Israel’s actions a “genocide of the Palestinian people.”
• Complicity: Roy criticized the governments of the U.S. and Germany for funding the conflict, stating that their support makes them “complicit in the crime.”
• Moral Responsibility: She argued that if the world’s greatest artists cannot stand up against such atrocities, “they should know that history will judge them.”

3. A Festival Under Pressure

Roy is not the only artist to exit. The Berlinale is facing a wave of withdrawals and protests that have overshadowed its “Classics” and “Special” programming.

• Withdrawn Films: Restored prints of two Egyptian films—Sad Song of Touha (Atteyat Al Abnoudy) and The Dislocation of Amber (Hussein Shariffe)—were also pulled in solidarity.
• Open Letter: Over 35 filmmakers, including Aki Kaurismäki and Radu Jude, have signed letters urging cultural institutions to sever ties with entities linked to the Israeli military.
• Official Reaction: A Berlinale spokesperson stated they “respect these decisions” but regretted that the presence of these artists would not be there to “enrich the festival discourse.”

4. Case File: Gaza War Statistics (as cited in report)