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VIRAL EXCLUSIVE
Feb. 20, 2024
Tensions at Berlin’s European Film Market
Pro-Palestinian supporters staged a protest in the main Marius Gropius Bau venue of the Berlinale's European Film Market. About 50 people entered the ground floor of the main atrium shouting "Stop the genocide", while large banners were open.
Pro-Palestinian supporters staged a protest in the
main Marius Gropius Bau venue of the Berlinale's European Film Market. About 50
people entered the ground floor of the main atrium shouting "Stop the
genocide", while large banners were open.
Palestine activists have made their voices heard at
Berlin’s European Film Market. During the fourth
day of business, a group called Palestine Direct Action staged a protest inside
the Gropius Bau venue. They unfurled banners from the first floor, boldly
proclaiming:
“Don’t shoot on stolen land”
“Lights, camera, genocide”
Leaflets resembling mocked-up evacuation notices
were also thrown into the hall. These notices read: “An occupying army requires
you to vacate this space with immediate effect.” The activists chanted powerful
slogans such as “Free, Free Palestine” and “Stop the genocide”. Their actions
drew the attention of dozens of people attending meetings inside the venue,
with many joining in the chants and applauding the protestors.
Outside the venue, about 20 protestors lay on the
steps, obstructing those exiting the Gropius Bau. Their banner, written in a
bloodied font, read: “Welcome to the red carpet”. The incident reflects the
politically charged atmosphere of the Berlinale, where controversies and discussions
around political topics continue to unfold.
The Palestine activists staged a protest at the
Berlin European Film Market to draw attention to the ongoing
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their actions were a powerful expression of
dissent against the violence and human rights violations in the region. By
disrupting the film market, they aimed to highlight the urgency of the
situation and call for international solidarity in support of Palestinian
rights. The protestors’ banners, slogans, and leaflets conveyed their message,
emphasising the need to address the issue of stolen land and the impact of
genocide. The incident reflects the charged atmosphere of the Berlinale, where
political controversies intersect with the world of cinema.
