Int´l film stars slam German minister over Berlinale

Germany's Culture Minister Claudia Roth has been criticized by several international filmmakers for her handling of the Berlinale film festival's artistic direction, according to an open letter in US magazine Variety, reported dpa.

Roth's ministry decided not to extend the contract of the festival's artistic director Carlo Chatrian. Director Martin Scorcese and actress Kristen Stewart were among the more than 100 signatories who labelled the behaviour "harmful, unprofessional, and immoral."

"Carlo Chatrian may not be a showman but in his quiet ways, he and his team have chosen an open and artistically rewarding curatorial path, showing new directions in world cinema, challenging stereotypes, and connecting different strands of filmmaking," the actors and filmmakers wrote.

Despite difficult circumstances, such as the pandemic or financial constraints, the past editions under his direction had been "very much alive, full of positive surprises and, despite a smaller number of films shown, very popular," the letter added.

Roth announced last week that the Berlinale would no longer be run by a dual leadership, but by one artistic director.

The contracts of the current management duo of Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek will end in 2024.

Chatrian announced he would step away from the festival in 2024 altogether.

Roth regretted that Chatrian was now no longer available for further work at the Berlinale, a spokesman for the minister said. Roth had gained the impression from conversations "that Mr Chatrian would be willing to enter into talks with a new director."

Along with Cannes and Venice, the Berlinale is one of the world's major film festivals.