Tricia Tuttle, the director of the Berlinale, criticized U.S. Vice‑President J.D. Vance and entrepreneur Elon Musk for their interpretations of freedom of expression. In an interview with the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”, she stressed that free exchange is essential and that protecting freedom of expression is a must. Tuttle said a boundary is only crossed when speech becomes hateful and discriminates against people-something she said Vance and Musk clearly overlook.
Given the Israel‑critical statements that appeared at previous Berlinale editions, Tuttle highlighted the festival’s own responsibility. “Ultimately it is up to us- the Berlinale-to shape the culture of dialogue so that it remains respectful” she explained. She also clarified that there is no political censorship: “I have met many politicians, each with their own views, but none of them want to cross the line and censor us”.
Tuttle spoke positively of the new Minister of Culture, Wolfram Weimer, who succeeded Claudia Roth. “He may even surprise me more than she did, because until now he had little connection to culture and film” she said. Both Weimer and Roth are described as “very supportive” and Weimer appears to recognize the festival leadership’s efforts to revitalize, develop further, and prepare the Berlinale for the future.
