German actors decry right-wing extremism as Berlinale film fest opens

Top German actors took a stance against right-wing extremism and the controversial Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on Thursday as the Berlinale, Germany's international film festival, opened on Potsdamer Platz in central Berlin.

At a protest organized by the film festival itself, filmakers such as Jella Haase and Katja Riemann shouted "Defend Democracy." They held cell phone lights in the air and the red carpet became quiet during the event.

"By rejecting the AfD, the Berlinale has clearly positioned itself against right-wing extremism in Germany. On the opening evening, the Berlinale invites a group of filmakers to the red carpet to set an example for democracy, diversity and peaceful coexistence," the festival said in a statement.

The protest event came in the wake of international outrage caused when the festival first invited several politicians from the (AfD) to the gala opening and subsequently disinvited them.

Several people wore buttons on the red carpet Thursday evening with the inscription "Berlinale against right-wing extremism."

German director Christian Petzold, who is a member of the Berlinale jury this year, said on Thursday: "I don't think it's a problem to have five people from the AfD in the audience."

He added: "We are not cowards. If we can't stand having five people from the AfD in the audience, we will lose our fight."

Germany has seen a wave of protests against right-wing extremism and racism in recent weeks, with hundreds of thousands taking part in demonstrations in numerous cities.

The protests were triggered by a media report revealing a secret meeting of right-wing extremists, including several AfD officials.

The jury president, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, emphasized: "In the 48 hours I've been here, one of the things that is always mentioned is how political the Berlinale is."

The war in Ukraine is also a topic. Statements by Spanish director and jury member Albert Serra that were criticized as being pro-Vladimir Putin were a topic of discussion on Thursday.

The comments were controversial, not least because Ukrainian author and Putin critic Oksana Zabuzhko is also on the jury.

A journalist had asked Serra about an interview from 2018 in which he allegedly expressed his admiration for Putin.

When asked whether he had changed his opinion of Putin since the war, the director said: "The political question of which leadership [I] favour has changed, because it's war and everyone is angry with Russia." This is a very complex question, he added.

Author Zabuzhko said: "There is good news: Last night we sat together at dinner and he bought my recently published book about this war. So I hope he will educate himself a little further."

The Berlinale, the world's largest based on attendance at the films, attracts fans from across the globe.

Hours before the opening press conference on Thursday evening, fans eagerly awaited the star of this year's opening film, "Small Things Like These," Cillian Murphy.

The 47-year-old Irish actor was due to present the film in Berlin on Thursday evening with producer Matt Damon.

Murphy declared his love for Berlin at a press conference hours before the film premiered as the festival's opening film.

"I love Berlin, this is my fifth time at the Berlin Film Festival," Murphy said. "I love coming here."

"Small Things Like These," directed by Tim Mielants, is a historical drama set against the backdrop of Ireland's notorious Magdalene "laundries," Catholic Church institutions where thousands of pregnant teenaged girls and unwed young women were exploited between the 1820s and 1996.

Murphy is considered an Oscar favourite for best actor at the upcoming Academy Awards for his starring role in last year's hit film "Oppenheimer."

The Magdalene laundries scandal was also the subject of the 2013 box office hit "Philomena," starring Judi Dench and directed by Stephen Frears.