Hong Kong director Jun Li has prompted a small political storm at the Berlin Film Festival, reportedly sparking a police probe after making a pro-Palestinian speech during the presentation of his film “Queerpanorama.”
While presenting “Queerpanorama,” which premiered in Berlin’s Panorama section on Saturday, the director made a speech on behalf of the film’s protagonist Erfan Shekarriz, whom he said boycotted the festival this year in protest against the perception that the event is not supportive of Palestinians. That perception was prompted by the backlash regarding pro-Palestine statements during last year’s closing ceremony.
Berlinale’s new artistic director Tricia Tuttle told Variety in a statement that the festival “understands that an individual with no connection to the Berlinale has filed a complaint” after the speech. As such, “Berlin police are required to investigate any potential accusations. To our knowledge, at the moment no criminal proceedings have been opened, and the Berlinale will be in close contact to find out more,” Tuttle continued, adding that the festival “is concerned about the welfare of visiting filmmakers” and has been “pursuing information from the Berlin police about the current situation.”
The U.S.-born Tuttle said the festival previously explained it was “committed to protecting freedom of expression within the framework of German law” and has “invested a great deal of time in helping our visiting filmmakers to understand potentially legally sensitive language.”
On Thursday, German police reportedly confirmed they were looking into the incident, but it was not immediately clear whether Li was also under investigation.
A publicist for “Queerpanorama” told Variety that “neither the director nor the actor have been contacted by anyone with regards to the investigation.”
The speech made by Li on Shekarriz’s behalf ended with: “As you watch this film, I call for everyone in this room to honor the innocent Palestinian children, mothers, fathers and our siblings, who have lost their lives and livelihoods to the German-backed occupation since 1948 … from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
Prior to fest kicking off it 75th edition, organizers had clarified its position on freedom of expression, including when it comes to showing solidarity with Palestine, and warned festivalgoers to use “particular care” with the phrase “from the river to the sea” as “there have been cases where it has been prosecuted” in Berlin. The phrase has been used by politicians on both sides of the conflict to advocate for a single state in the region. The slogan has also been used by Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist organization responsible for the Oct. 7 attack.
