Stay Outside of Politics: Cinema, Censorship, and Challenging Opression

Wim Wenders sparked considerable controversy at this year’s Berlinale by stating that the film industry “should steer clear of politics.” The call to steer clear of politics came in response to questions about the genocide in Gaza, although the festival has openly supported Ukraine and the protests in Iran in previous years. It reflects the debates that have been intensely present recently about the alleged autonomy of art and the neutrality of cultural institutions. On the other hand, artists and cultural workers are increasingly exposed to political pressures and restrictions on freedom of speech through attacks by the far right on the media and public services.

We will talk about censorship, artwashing and boycotts, the work of film collectives and documentary film as a tool of everyday resistance with M. Herring and M. Lerner (Roast Beef Productions, The Gaza Collective), M. Baradić (Kino Katarina, Za K.R.U.H. / Štrajk za Gazu) and director V. Petri.

Tuesday, April 21, 17.00 (Dokukino KIC, Preradovićeva 5)