The Berlinale unleashed some of its traditional political intensity on the opening day on Thursday as a panel of international film jurors led by German director Wim Wenders rejected the idea that filmmakers should take a political position on the world’s most trenchant conflicts.

“We are the counterweight of politics,” Wenders said in response to a questioner who’d asked if the seven-person panel which will choose the winning Berlinale film should take a stance on the Israeli-Gaza conflict.

“No movie has really changed any politician’s idea. But we can change the idea people have of how they should live,” Wenders said. “There’s a big discrepancy on this planet between people who want to live their lives and governments who have other ideas. So I think films enter that discrepancy.”

Polish film producer Ewa Puszczynska said she thought the question was in some ways “unfair”.

“You know, we use the word, change the world, but of course, we are trying to talk to people, every single viewer and to make them think, but we cannot be responsible for their decision… to, you know, to support Israel or…you know, support Palestine…

“So this is very complicated questions, and I think as I said it’s a bit unfair, asking us, what do we think how we support not support talking to our governments or not?

The Berlinale ends on February 22.

By Michael Roddy