Berlinale’s Intendantina, Tricia Tuttle, Responds to Last Year’s Price Gala Controversy with Moderator Training
In an effort to address the escalated controversy surrounding the Berlinale’s price gala last year, Intendantina Tricia Tuttle has emphasized the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and respectful dialogue. In an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung (NOZ), Tuttle stated, “The Berlinale stands against antisemitism, racism and any form of hate speech. We must enable an open conversation. The current atmosphere is so overheated that we fear dissent. The more the debate radicalizes, the more we need a space for differentiated discussions.”
Tuttle’s remarks come in the wake of the controversy surrounding the Berlinale’s closing gala last year, where a winner accused Israel of “genocide” on stage, prompting the festival’s leadership to face questions from the German Bundestag’s Committee on Culture and the Media. Culture Minister Claudia Roth (Green Party) had criticized the moderator for not intervening in the matter.
Tuttle reflected on the incident, acknowledging that the festival had not achieved the desired level of pluralism. “Last year, we did not reach the pluralism for which we stand” she said. “We lacked empathy towards a part of our community. We must not become one-sided like we did at the prize gala again.”
The festival chief also mentioned the example of David Cunio, a former Berlinale participant who is currently a hostage of the Hamas, stating, “If we had spoken out for him on the gala, the tone of the evening would have been different.”
Tuttle expressed concerns that the subsequent debate had sparked fears that Israel-critical voices would not be welcome at the Berlinale. “There is a worry that one cannot criticize Israel” she said. “Of course, I see a red line where it tips into antisemitism. At the same time, it is important to stay in the conversation and allow for complexity.”
The Berlinale’s commitment to a respectful dialogue and the freedom of expression is unwavering, Tuttle emphasized. “We demand a respectful conversation and insist that everyone be allowed to express their opinion.