Top German actors have taken a stance against right-wing extremism and the controversial Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as the Berlin International Film Festival, or Berlinale, opened in Berlin.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At a protest organised by the festival, actors Jella Haase and Katja Riemann shouted "defend democracy" as they held mobile phone lights in the air.
"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 with the inscription "Berlinale against right-wing extremism."
German director Christian Petzold, who is a member of the Berlinale jury this year, said: "I don't think it's a problem to have five people from the AfD in the audience."
"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 jury president, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, emphasised: "In the 48 hours I've been here, one of the things that is always mentioned is how political the Berlinale is."
The Berlinale, the world's largest festival based on attendance at the films, attracts fans from across the globe.
Hours before the opening press conference, fans eagerly awaited Cillian Murphy, the star of this year's opening film, Small Things Like These.
The 47-year-old Irish actor presented 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."
Australian Associated Press
