Opening of the 76th Berlinale marked by celebrity arrivals and political messages

The 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) opened on Thursday at Potsdamer Platz despite rainy weather. High-profile attendees included Sean Baker, Bella Ramsey, Neil Patrick Harris, Daniel Bruehl, and Matthias Schweighoefer. While jury president Wim Wenders stated that the jury intended to remain apolitical regarding international conflicts, several guests utilized the red carpet for activism. Journalist Duezen Tekkal and colleagues displayed posters supporting Iran and Rojava. Green Party politician Karin Goering-Eckardt displayed a message on her hand referencing a Ukrainian campaign about remembrance. Additionally, some guests protested against fascism using a quote by philosopher Hannah Arendt regarding the right to disobey. The evening highlighted a contrast between the jury's focus on film as art and the guests' political expressions.