Berlinale 2025: Political messages and the call for David Cunio

Berlinale 2025: Political messages and the call for David Cunio

The Berlinale, which opened on February 13, 2025, is shaped by political issues that led to a scandal last year. Tricia Tuttle, the new artistic director, used the opening ceremony to remember the Israeli actor David Cunio, who is being held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. On the red carpet, Tuttle held up a picture of Cunio with the inscription “Bring David Cunio Home,” which was also reiterated by prominent supporters such as Andrea Sawatzki and Ulrich Matthes. Tuttle expressed regret that the previous year's Berlinale had remembered Cunio but failed to make the appropriate gesture at the closing gala oe24 reports.

The opening ceremony was marked by further strong political statements. The presenter Désirée Nosbusch remembered the injured victims of a suspected attack in Munich and emphasized the severity of the situation. Tilda Swinton, who was honored during the gala, also shocked with her emotional speech. She spoke unabashedly about the atrocities being committed globally under the guise of state actions, making it clear that “the inhumane is being committed on our watch.” Parallel to the opening ceremony, a vigil for Cunio was held near the Berlinale Palace, where about 25 people held banners with the message “Bring Him Home Now,” like the Tagesspiegel reports.

Amidst strong political statements from stars and a perfect backdrop of snow and freezing temperatures, the film “The Light” by the well-known director Tom Tykwer was also shown. The Berlinale runs until February 23rd and offers numerous impressive films and inspiring voices from the film world, while at the same time tackling very current social issues.