US actress Kristen Stewart said “we’re living in the most reactive, emotionally whiplashed time” when speaking at the Competition jury press conference for the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival.
Responding to a question about whether the festival’s reputation for political statements affected her decision to take on the role of head of the jury, Stewart said, “It’s such a rare indulgence to be able to talk about the thing you’re obsessed with, which in my case is movies, when you’re not promoting it or making one.
“It wasn’t my decision to be here, I was shocked that they called me; it’s an enormous opportunity to have a hand in highlighting beautiful things in a time where that’s hard to hold.
“It’s the job of an artist to take a disgusting and ugly thing and transmute it, put it through your body and pop out something more beautiful and more helpful,” continued Stewart. “Something considered and not something knee-jerk reactive.
“We’re living in the most reactive, emotionally whiplashed time. To sit and have a moment to digress and see what people have pumped out of their own bodies - that was an opportunity I couldn’t say no to.”
Stewart was joined at the opening press conference by her fellow jurors, actor Golshifteh Farahani, casting director Francine Maisler, and directors Valeska Grisebach, Radu Jude, Carla Simon and Johnnie To.
Iranian-French actress Farahani spoke about the symbolism of being in Berlin, when significant protests have taken place worldwide for the freedom of Iranian women following the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September last year.
“It’s very symbolic to be in Berlin, a city that broke the wall towards equality, freedom and brought so many people together. This year with Ukraine, Iran and the earthquake, it feels like the whole world is disintegrating - especially now with Iran,” said Farahani.
“In a country that is a dictatorship like Iran, art is not only an intellectual, philosophical thing – it’s essential, it’s like oxygen. Your existence by being an artist is put into danger. That’s why it’s so amazing to be here this year. Art and culture is a fire – we can all gather together and warm ourselves up. I’m really happy to be here to fight for freedom, in Iran and in the world,” said the actress, to applause from the assembled press.
The Berlinale will host a display of solidarity with Iran on Saturday, February 18 at 14.55, on the red carpet at the Berlinale Palast.
Hong Kong director To spoke passionately on the role of cinema in fighting oppressive regimes, saying, “Cinema represents the whole part of society; if a government wants to destroy a place, the first thing they want to do is destroy cinema. Because cinema is so close with the public – it has a strong connection with the audience. If you want to fight for freedom, the first thing to do is you have to support cinema.”
Joker
Romanian director Jude showed signs that he may be the joker in the jury pack, with several provocative statements.
Responding to a question about the value of cinema in contemporary life, most of the jury spoke on the joy of sharing different cultural experiences, and sitting together in what Grisebach called “that dark cave”.
Jude, however, quoted Isidore Isou’s 1951 French avant-garde film Venom And Eternity, saying that “Cinema is the industry of money and stupidity.”
“There’s a big truth in that; maybe a place like [the Berlinale] makes a bit less money for the film – I think it’s great to see films which are not made with a lot of money – and with a bit less stupidity than [when] Isou said it 70 years ago.”
Stewart agreed with Jude’s comments about expanding film budgets. “How we [make films], who consumes it, how much it costs - we’re headed towards oblivion on that level,” said Stewart, who described the current industry situation as “stupid and embarrassing”.
However, she continues to be optimistic. “There’s a vital, desperate need in all of us to create something, and we’re going to consume the things that each other make forever. if you start fixating on the industry of it, it’s easy to be like, ‘Oh god it’s falling apart’. But I think that there’s something vital that’s undeniable and will never go away.”
Jude also said that the notion of Romanian cinema “sounds a bit ridiculous”, when asked if his 2021 Golden Bear win for Bad Luck Banging Or Loony Porn had bolstered his country’s output.
”I’m still an Eastern European, Romanian filmmaker,” said Jude. “I don’t know if it impacted Romanian cinema, apart from people telling me ‘how is it possible that such a piece of shit won the Golden Bear?’ Or some influencer writing something like ‘I know how these awards are given, it’s by Soros money, or by payment of the film centre from every country, and it was Romania’s turn’ - according to them”.
Following his Golden Bear win two years ago, Jude called out the “bullshit of red carpets” at film festivals, saying ”my belief in cinema doesn’t have anything to do with this kind of clowning around.”
Jury president Stewart said she is “shaking” with the responsibility of heading the group. “It’s not a weight that I don’t fully understand.” She added that she is “not buckling under” the pressure, but “definitely bolstered by a talented jury. I can’t wait to see who we are at the end of this experience”.
The festival gets underway this evening with the world premiere of Rebecca Miller’s She Came To Me at the Berlinale Palast.
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