BERLIN: The Berlin Film Festival, barely back on its feet after the COVID pandemic and the resulting dry period in film production, opens on Thursday to fresh rows over the rise of the far-right in Germany and the conflict in Gaza.
On the commercial side, the European Film Market which traditionally runs in parallel with the festival looks set for a vintage year, with buyers bullish now that the Hollywood scriptwriters’ strike is over.
But the Berlinale also coincides with discussions over antisemitism, Germany’s close ties with Israel amid the war in Gaza, and over a surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of this year’s European elections.
“These political discussions are in some ways overshadowing the entertainment, the films and the culture that usually is at the center of Berlin,” said Scot Roxborough, European correspondent of the Hollywood Reporter and a festival veteran.
Born at the height of the Cold War in a divided city that was on the frozen conflict’s front line, the Berlinale is no stranger to politics, but this year the rows started even before the opening ceremony, when festival leaders rescinded courtesy invitations sent out to AfD politicians.
The invitations, extended to them as elected legislators, triggered a media storm as they landed soon after reports emerged of a meeting at which senior AfD politicians had discussed with other far-right activists deporting ethnic minority German citizens.
The festival organizers then rescinded the invitations, saying they wanted to “take an unequivocal stand in favor of an open democracy.”
Germany’s stance on Gaza — firmly backing Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas militants while also condemning possible human rights violations by Israel in Gaza — has also prompted controversy, with at least one film withdrawing from the festival in protest over Berlin’s perceived pro-Israel bias.
“(There’ll) probably be a lot of angry people, on both sides, protesting here and probably throughout the city,” said Roxborough.
The 74th festival will also be the last one run under artistic director Carlo Chatrian, who co-headed the festival with Mariette Rissenbeek and leaned more toward lesser-known cinema and away from star-driven and big studio films.
Cillian Murphy will be in town following his Oscar-nominated turn in “Oppenheimer” for the opening film, “Small Things Like These,” while last year’s jury president Kristen Stewart returns with “Love Lies Bleeding” and Adam Sandler presents “Spaceman.”
German far-right, Gaza war overshadow Berlin Film Festival
https://arab.news/9fxcu
German far-right, Gaza war overshadow Berlin Film Festival
- At least one film has withdrawn its participation, accusing the German government of pro-Israel bias
- Organizer’s ecision to rescind invitations for far-right Alternative for Germany politicians caused media storm
RT Arabic opens its first Riyadh studio, inaugurates with first live show
- Program will broadcast twice a month
- Will be part of a series of analytical shows focusing on developments broadcast by RT Arabic from various global capitals
RIYADH: Widely regarded in the region as a trusted and reliable news network, RT Arabic (Russia Today) officially opened RT Studio Riyadh on Tuesday, allowing the centennial of Russia-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations to usher in a new age of media relations as well.
The program will broadcast twice a month and will be part of a series of analytical shows focusing on regional and global developments broadcast by RT Arabic from various capitals around the world, such as “Studio Cairo,” “Studio Beirut,” “Studio Washington,” and “Studio Paris.”
It will be hosted by veteran Saudi journalist Mohammed Al-Rashed, who has more than 20 years of experience.
In his opening remarks, Russian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sergey Kozlov spoke of the century-long relationship between the two countries beginning in 1926 when the Soviet Union became the first state to formally recognize the Kingdom of Hejaz and Najd.
Those bilateral ties have evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership that spans sectors such as energy, agriculture, industry, investment, science and education, culture and media, and humanitarian cooperation.
“Our friendship is built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision for the future,” he said.
Recent milestones include a growing tourism exchange, marked by a new mutual visa-exemption agreement in December 2025, and increased air connectivity through direct flights between Moscow-Riyadh and Moscow-Jeddah.
The ambassador also highlighted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Moscow in 2017 and President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Riyadh in 2019 as pivotal moments in advancing relations.
RT Studio Riyadh will “strengthen understanding between our peoples and provide viewers with deeper insight into political, cultural, and social developments in both countries,” he said.
Feb. 10 was also Russian Diplomatic Worker’s Day, an occasion that the presenters believe added symbolic significance to the launch.
The Kingdom’s Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari was also present to celebrate the studio’s inauguration and expressed Saudi Arabia’s eagerness to strengthening its media partnerships.
“We are keen to support international media institutions and provide them with all necessary services to carry out their professional mission with ease and transparency,” he said.
That same evening, Al Riyadh newspaper signed a memorandum of understanding with RT promising news exchange and joint training cooperation.
The managing editor at Al Riyadh, Nawal Aljabr, described Studio Riyadh as a bridge connecting Russian and Arab audiences and an opportunity to explore future cooperation opportunities.
The inaugural guest of the platform was Prince Turki Al-Faisal, chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.
The episode aired live at the opening on Tuesday and discussed topics pertaining to the historical roots of Saudi-Russian relations, the durability of ties amid global geopolitical shifts, and future cooperation prospects, as well as the Kingdom’s role regionally and internationally.
Each episode will run for 26 minutes and feature a discussion between Al-Rashed and a chosen guest on a current affairs topic.
RT Arabic, established in 2007, is the first Russian 24-hour Arabic-language news channel. It has become one of the most prominent and influential media outlets in the Middle East.
