Tilda Swinton, known for her activism and bold political statements, has long been a champion of progressive causes [Getty]
British actor Tilda Swinton used her platform at the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday to deliver a scathing critique of global political inaction in the face of mass atrocities, as the situation in Gaza after Israel’s devastating war continues to provoke global outrage.
Swinton, accepting a Golden Bear for lifetime achievement, denounced what she described as “state-perpetrated and internationally enabled mass murder”, a remark deemed as a reference to Israel’s indiscriminate onslaught on Gaza, which killed over 61,000 Palestinians, most of whom were civilians.
While Swinton did not explicitly name Gaza, Israel or its principal ally the US, she lambasted “greed-addicted governments” which had perpetrated or turned a blind eye to large-scale violence and destruction.
Germany, where the festival took place, gave unwavering support to Israel’s war on Gaza, silencing pro-Palestinian voices in the country.
Swinton also appeared to take a swipe at Trump’s widely condemned proposal to redevelop Gaza as the “Riviera of the Middle East”, a plan critics have likened to ethnic cleansing disguised as “economic development”.
“Independent cinema is an unlimited realm, innately inclusive, immune to efforts of occupation, colonization, takeover, ownership, or the development of Riviera property,” she said, drawing applause from the audience.
Swinton’s speech came amid a firestorm of controversy surrounding the festival’s handling of Israel’s war on Gaza.
The opening ceremony featured a vigil in support of Israeli actor David Cunio, taken captive by Palestinian fighters during the 7 October attack on Israel.
Several German actors, including Christian Berkel and Andrea Sawatzki, held photographs of Cunio, while a documentary about him, A Letter to David, premiered at the festival.
However, the festival faced sharp criticism for its perceived bias, as Palestinian voices were largely absent from the official program this year.
Last year, when artists and filmmakers condemned Israel’s military offensive and called for a ceasefire, German politicians swiftly attacked the festival, with Culture Minister Claudia Roth calling the protests “shockingly one-sided” and accusing participants of “antisemitism”.
In her post-award press conference, Swinton addressed the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement’s call to boycott the festival due to Germany’s suppression of pro-Palestinian voices.
Swinton, who has expressed solidarity with Palestine in the past, acknowledged her respect for BDS but defended her decision to attend, arguing that her presence could be “more useful” than an absence.
“I decided to come because I was given a platform, and I felt that was potentially more useful to all our causes than not turning up. It was a personal judgment call, and I take full responsibility for it,” she said.
Swinton, known for her activism and bold political statements, has long been a champion of progressive causes.
The Academy Award-winning actor, famous for roles in films such as Michael Clayton, We Need to Talk About Kevin, and The Grand Budapest Hotel, has frequently used her public appearances to speak against war, state violence, and environmental destruction.
