Zelenskyy calls for Ukraine’s support at Berlin festival

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on artists and filmmakers to unequivocally declare their support for his country in a live video address at the opening of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival on Thursday.

In a reference to the Berlin Wall, which divided the German capital from 1961 to 1989 into a capitalist west and a communist east, Zelenskyy said that now Russia, which attacked Ukraine almost a year ago, builds a new figurative wall in his country. .

“It’s a wall between freedom and slavery,” said Zelenskyy, adding that the art world cannot remain indifferent because in the midst of silence “the voice of evil only grows louder and louder. convincing”.

Zelenskyy, a former comedian and actor, is featured prominently in Sean Penn’s film about the war in Ukraine, “Superpower,” which will have its world premiere at the Berlinale.

Ahead of the opening ceremony, American actress Anne Hathaway hailed the Ukrainian president as a “hero of our time” and thanked the festival for inviting him remotely, German news agency dpa reported.

The German Culture Minister also underlined the importance of culture in times of war and crisis. “Anyone who makes movies and shows movies in dark times stands up to slavery,” Claudia Roth said.

In this edition of the festival, which will last until February 26, 18 films will compete for the Golden Bear and Silver Bear awards. The winners will be chosen by a jury chaired by American actress, screenwriter and director Kristen Stewart.

The festival would kick off with the premiere of “She Came to Me” by Rebecca Miller, featuring Hathaway, Marisa Tomei and Peter Dinklage.