In a recent open letter, more than eighty international filmmakers expressed their outrage over the Berlinale Film Festival's silence on the ongoing genocide against Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. They accused the festival of neglecting to take a stance on a humanitarian crisis, suggesting that its role extends beyond cultural celebration to embody a form of political responsibility. However, this critique raises questions about the appropriate expectations placed on a cultural institution and its ability to respond to global political issues effectively.

The article argues that the Berlinale is primarily a film festival and should not be mistaken for a governmental body or diplomatic agency. It emphasizes that such expectations dilute the essence of what a film festival represents — a curated space for artistic expression and reflection, rather than a platform for direct political intervention. The criticism faced by the Berlinale is seen as indicative of a broader trend whereby cultural events are arbitrarily held responsible for geopolitical matters, which complicates the relationship between art and politics.

Furthermore, the piece underscores the unfairness of singling out the Berlinale for its perceived inaction while ignoring the complexities of political discourse. It calls for a more nuanced understanding of the roles cultural institutions play, implying that when artists demand political engagement from a festival, they inadvertently undermine the very purpose of such spaces that are meant to stimulate public dialogue through art, rather than serve as tools of political machination.