<p>The Berlin Film Festival 2024 wrapped up on Sunday but there is controversy brewing around the final day. German officials have announced that they would be investigating the 'one-sided' comments that some of the festival winners made during the awards gala, condemning Israel's war in Gaza.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
At Saturday's ceremony, several winners were accused of making antisemitic remarks on stage about Israel's military assault, which began after an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
US filmmaker Ben Russell, wearing a Palestinian scarf, accused Israel of committing "genocide" with its bombardment of the densely populated Gaza Strip.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra said the Palestinian population was being "massacred" by Israel. His speech was met with applause from the audience.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is unacceptable that... the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 was not mentioned," government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann told reporters in Berlin on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chancellor Olaf Scholz "agrees that such a one-sided stance cannot be allowed to stand", Hoffmann said.</p>

<p>"In any debate on this topic, it is of course important to keep in mind the event that triggered this renewed escalation of the Middle East conflict -- namely the Hamas attack on&nbsp;October 7," she said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Culture Minister Claudia Roth and Berlin's mayor Kai Wegner have also found themselves in hot water over the ceremony.</p>

<p>A report in top tabloid Bild carried a picture it said showed the pair applauding Adra's remarks.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
On Sunday, after the ceremony, Wegner posted on social media that the anti-Israel remarks were "unacceptable", adding that "there is no place for antisemitism in Berlin".</p>

<p>Hoffmann said Wegner and the culture minister would review the incidents and hold talks with the festival's incoming director to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>'Understand the outrage'&nbsp;</strong><br />
<br />
Germany, influenced by its own World War II history when millions of Jews were killed by the Nazis, has backed Israel following the October 7 attack.</p>

<p>The Hamas assault killed 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 29,782 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The festival, known as the Berlinale, receives substantial government funding. Asked whether the funding would now be reviewed, Hoffmann said the focus was on ensuring such incidents were not repeated.</p>

<p>After the controversy erupted, the film festival issued a statement Sunday saying that winners' remarks were "independent, individual opinions (which) in no way reflect the position of the festival".&nbsp;</p>

<p>But, it added, "We understand the outrage, and that the statements of some of the award winners were perceived as too one-sided."</p>

<p>Organisers also said the Berlinale's Panorama Instagram account was briefly hacked on Sunday to display antisemitic posts about the war in the Middle East.</p>

<p>"The posts were deleted immediately," organisers said Monday, adding that the Berlinale had "filed criminal charges against unknown persons" over the incident.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/berlin-film-festival-2024-berlinale-workers-demand-immediate-ceasefire-in-gaza-690161/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Amid the widespread anger against the comments made at the award ceremony, Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, said on social media: "Once again, the German cultural scene showcases its bias by rolling out the red carpet exclusively for artists who promote the delegitimization of Israel."&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the film festival, "antisemitic and anti-Israel discourse was met with applause", he added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/manoj-bajpayee-attends-berlin-film-festival-2024-for-the-premiere-of-his-film-the-fable-691656">Manoj Bajpayee attends Berlin Film Festival 2024 for the premiere of his film The Fable</a></strong></p>

<p>Felix Klein, the government's commissioner for the fight against antisemitism, told the Funke media group that the "one-side, anti-Israel statements" show "how widespread antisemitism is not only in the arts and culture scenes but also in the film industry".</p>

<p><em>(With&nbsp;inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Berlin Film Festival 2024 wrapped up on Sunday but there is controversy brewing around the final day. German officials have announced that they would be investigating the 'one-sided' comments that some of the festival winners made during the awards gala, condemning Israel's war in Gaza.

The Berlin Film Festival 2024 wrapped up on Sunday but there is controversy brewing around the final day. German officials have announced that they would be investigating the 'one-sided' comments that some of the festival winners made during the awards gala, condemning Israel's war in Gaza. At Saturday's ceremony, several winners were accused of making antisemitic remarks on stage about Israel's military assault, which began after an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. US filmmaker Ben Russell, wearing a Palestinian scarf, accused Israel of committing "genocide" with its bombardment of the densely populated Gaza Strip. Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra said the Palestinian population was being "massacred" by Israel. His speech was met with applause from the audience. "It is unacceptable that... the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 was not mentioned," government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann told reporters in Berlin on Monday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz "agrees that such a one-sided stance cannot be allowed to stand", Hoffmann said. "In any debate on this topic, it is of course important to keep in mind the event that triggered this renewed escalation of the Middle East conflict -- namely the Hamas attack on October 7," she said. Culture Minister Claudia Roth and Berlin's mayor Kai Wegner have also found themselves in hot water over the ceremony. A report in top tabloid Bild carried a picture it said showed the pair applauding Adra's remarks. On Sunday, after the ceremony, Wegner posted on social media that the anti-Israel remarks were "unacceptable", adding that "there is no place for antisemitism in Berlin". Hoffmann said Wegner and the culture minister would review the incidents and hold talks with the festival's incoming director to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future. 'Understand the outrage' Germany, influenced by its own World War II history when millions of Jews were killed by the Nazis, has backed Israel following the October 7 attack. The Hamas assault killed 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians. Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 29,782 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The festival, known as the Berlinale, receives substantial government funding. Asked whether the funding would now be reviewed, Hoffmann said the focus was on ensuring such incidents were not repeated. After the controversy erupted, the film festival issued a statement Sunday saying that winners' remarks were "independent, individual opinions (which) in no way reflect the position of the festival". But, it added, "We understand the outrage, and that the statements of some of the award winners were perceived as too one-sided." Organisers also said the Berlinale's Panorama Instagram account was briefly hacked on Sunday to display antisemitic posts about the war in the Middle East. "The posts were deleted immediately," organisers said Monday, adding that the Berlinale had "filed criminal charges against unknown persons" over the incident. Amid the widespread anger against the comments made at the award ceremony, Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, said on social media: "Once again, the German cultural scene showcases its bias by rolling out the red carpet exclusively for artists who promote the delegitimization of Israel." At the film festival, "antisemitic and anti-Israel discourse was met with applause", he added. Also read: Manoj Bajpayee attends Berlin Film Festival 2024 for the premiere of his film The Fable Felix Klein, the government's commissioner for the fight against antisemitism, told the Funke media group that the "one-side, anti-Israel statements" show "how widespread antisemitism is not only in the arts and culture scenes but also in the film industry". (With inputs from agencies)

Germany to probe Berlinale 2024 after festival winners deliver 'one-sided' speech against Israel

<p>Indian actor Manoj Bajpayee attended the 74th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival on Sunday for the premiere of his film <em>The Fable.</em> The film is the only Indian entry competing in the Encounters segment of the festival.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
“Stepping onto the red carpet at the Berlin International Film Festival, filled with pride and joy,” the 54-year-old actor wrote on Instagram and shared a set of pictures with his fellow cast members.<br />
<br />
Manoj looked dapper in a black tuxedo and a matching jacket with fur on the collar. The actor posed on the Berlinale red carpet with <em>The Fable</em> director Raam Reddy and cast members including Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, Tillotama Shome and Hiral Sidhu. All the cast members matched their outfits in black.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The film was shot during the pandemic and Manoj added that the team's optimism remained high even when the first shoot scheduled had been interrupted three days into the production.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>“And now, we are starting with Berlinale. It’s like poetic justice,” he added.<br />
<br />
“I’ve been working on it with my blood, sweat and tears for a long time. I’ve been in this little bubble, now I’m out in the world, the film’s about to be born. So, I’m going for the birth of my child,” director Raam Reddy said in a statement.<br />
<br />
The Berlin International Film Festival began on February 15 and will run till February 25.</p>


Indian actor Manoj Bajpayee attended the 74th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival on Sunday for the premiere of his film The Fable. The film is the only Indian entry competing in the Encounters segment of the festival.

Indian actor Manoj Bajpayee attended the 74th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival on Sunday for the premiere of his film The Fable. The film is the only Indian entry competing in the Encounters segment of the festival. “Stepping onto the red carpet at the Berlin International Film Festival, filled with pride and joy,” the 54-year-old actor wrote on Instagram and shared a set of pictures with his fellow cast members. Manoj looked dapper in a black tuxedo and a matching jacket with fur on the collar. The actor posed on the Berlinale red carpet with The Fable director Raam Reddy and cast members including Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, Tillotama Shome and Hiral Sidhu. All the cast members matched their outfits in black. The film was shot during the pandemic and Manoj added that the team's optimism remained high even when the first shoot scheduled had been interrupted three days into the production. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manoj Bajpayee (@bajpayee.manoj) × “And now, we are starting with Berlinale. It’s like poetic justice,” he added. “I’ve been working on it with my blood, sweat and tears for a long time. I’ve been in this little bubble, now I’m out in the world, the film’s about to be born. So, I’m going for the birth of my child,” director Raam Reddy said in a statement. The Berlin International Film Festival began on February 15 and will run till February 25.

Manoj Bajpayee attends Berlin Film Festival 2024 for the premiere of his film The Fable

<p>Popular Telugu actor Allu Arjun&nbsp;is attending the Berlin Film Festival 2024 for the special screening of <em>Pushpa: The Rise</em>.&nbsp;He will engage with international filmmakers, producers, and market buyers during his visit. The actor will also be attending the screening of the film and addressing the international media.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Allu Arjun's <em>Pushpa </em>franchise was one of the biggest hits of 2022. The film also gained popularity in countries like Russia, USA, Australia and the UK. Which is why, perhaps, the actor has taken the film to Berlinale. It also comes at a time when the team is filming the sequel of the film <em>Pushpa 2: The Rule.</em> The 74th Berlin film festival will take place from February 15- 24.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The much-anticipated <em>Pushpa 2: The Rule</em>&nbsp;will&nbsp;release&nbsp;on August 15, 2024.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The makers teased the first look of the film last year during Allu Arjun's birthday and the image created quite a stir among fans.<br />
<br />
Many are seeing Allu Arjun’s visit to the Berlin Film Festival 2024 as an important step to create international buzz around <em>Pushpa 2</em>- not only among the audience but also within the trade circles. The excitement and anticipation for <em>Pushpa 2: The Rule</em>’s release are reaching new heights, making this global showcase a pivotal moment for the film's success.<br />
<br />
<strong>About <em>Pushpa 2 :The Rule</em></strong><br />
<br />
The film will have Allu Arjun reprising his role as Pushpa Raju. The film also features Fahadh Faasil as SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat and Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli. According to reports, nearly 10 percent of the principal photography was initially shot back-to-back with the original film. The film has been helmed by Sukumar. It is being touted as one of the most expensive films to be made in India till date.&nbsp;</p>


Popular Telugu actor Allu Arjun is attending the Berlin Film Festival 2024 for the special screening of Pushpa: The Rise. He will engage with international filmmakers, producers, and market buyers during his visit.

Popular Telugu actor Allu Arjun is attending the Berlin Film Festival 2024 for the special screening of Pushpa: The Rise. He will engage with international filmmakers, producers, and market buyers during his visit. The actor will also be attending the screening of the film and addressing the international media. Allu Arjun's Pushpa franchise was one of the biggest hits of 2022. The film also gained popularity in countries like Russia, USA, Australia and the UK. Which is why, perhaps, the actor has taken the film to Berlinale. It also comes at a time when the team is filming the sequel of the film Pushpa 2: The Rule. The 74th Berlin film festival will take place from February 15- 24. The much-anticipated Pushpa 2: The Rule will release on August 15, 2024. The makers teased the first look of the film last year during Allu Arjun's birthday and the image created quite a stir among fans. Many are seeing Allu Arjun’s visit to the Berlin Film Festival 2024 as an important step to create international buzz around Pushpa 2- not only among the audience but also within the trade circles. The excitement and anticipation for Pushpa 2: The Rule’s release are reaching new heights, making this global showcase a pivotal moment for the film's success. About Pushpa 2 :The Rule The film will have Allu Arjun reprising his role as Pushpa Raju. The film also features Fahadh Faasil as SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat and Rashmika Mandanna as Srivalli. According to reports, nearly 10 percent of the principal photography was initially shot back-to-back with the original film. The film has been helmed by Sukumar. It is being touted as one of the most expensive films to be made in India till date.

Allu Arjun at Berlinale 2024! Actor to represent Indian cinema in global market

In an open letter, Berlinale workers call for an "immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages" in Gaza and demand "stronger institutional leadership" from the Berlin Festival on the issue.