The Berlin Film Festival has pulled the invites sent to the Alternative for Germany party after they had recently sent them out. The decision on the part of the festival follows the backlash of the initial invitations.
The reaction came from those working in the film industry, penning a letter stating that those invited under the Alternative for Germany, or AfD, contradict the positive, constructive environment that the Berlin Film Festival strives to represent.
The choice also comes after a citizen-led protest against a meeting with AfD members and some individuals from corporate levels of Germany regarding the deportation of asylum seekers.
Two individuals who had their invitations revoked were Kristin Brinker and Ronald Gläser, both members of the right-leaning AfD.
Since pulling the invitations, a statement from Carlo Chatrain and Mariëtte Rissenbeek, directors of the festival, stated that there was an essential dialogue to be had regarding inviting them to the event.
According to Hollywood Reporter, the statement said, “Especially in light of the revelations that have been made in recent weeks about explicitly anti-democratic positions and individual politicians of the AfD, it is important for us — as the Berlinale and as a team — to take an unequivocal stand in favor of an open democracy.” Hollywood Reporter also observed that while the Berlin Film Festival receives funding from the state, the AfD is not attached to German states or the federal government.
Further into the statement, it was made clear that the festival stands by revoking the invitations.
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