Indian author Arundhati Roy quits Berlinale after ‘stay out of politics’ Gaza comments
A major literary figure walks out, sparking a fierce debate about art and activism.
Deep Dive
Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy withdrew from the Berlin Film Festival after jury president Wim Wenders said cinema should 'stay out of politics' regarding Gaza. Roy called the jury's statements 'unconscionable' and 'shocking,' stating history will judge those in film who remain silent. The controversy erupted at a press conference where Wenders described filmmakers as a 'counterweight to politics,' prompting Roy's immediate exit from the event.
Why It Matters
This high-profile clash forces a global conversation on the ethical responsibility of artists during humanitarian crises.