Some people place an excessive amount of importance on discovering where famous figures stand politically. Is it an artist’s responsibility to act as a spokesperson for every political issue? Of course not. Yet some artists are now being coerced into making public statements on matters they may not feel equipped—or willing—to address.
Case in point: the press attending this year’s Berlin Film Festival has been hounding nearly any actor or director willing to take the bait and answer questions about Iran, Gaza, Trump, ICE, and more.
It began when Jury President Wim Wenders refused to answer a question about the Israel–Gaza conflict, instead opting to “stay out of politics” and focus on cinema. His comments set off an uproar in the media, and the press doubled down—yet many artists still refused to play along.
Some examples: Neil Patrick Harris declined to call out ICE. Michelle Yeoh shut down political questions altogether. Rupert Grint was badgered into finally saying, “Obviously, I’m against fascism.”
This morning, an open letter signed by more than 80 artists, including Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton and Adam McKay, criticized the Berlinale for its “silence” on Gaza.
As a result, Ethan Hawke was caught in the crossfire at a press conference for “The Weight,” where he was asked about the letter. He declined to comment—freely admitting he hadn’t been aware of it—which, of course, set the hounds loose, particularly after Hawke added that the journalist who posed the question was not speaking for his “agenda.” Almost immediately, he was branded a “genocide denier” and a “Zionist” on social media.
“I feel like there’s an agenda, a slight agenda, to your question that is different from my agenda. But I respect you and I respect the question,” Hawke told the reporter.
The journalist who asked the question later went on social media—under the handle @zakfilm; no full name or outlet appears to be listed, only a Letterboxd account—and claimed Hawke’s response was “patronizing.” He further argued that Hawke had a “moral duty” to comment, and that as a “journalist” he was obligated to question the “lack of support for Palestinians,” asserting that the festival’s “integrity” was at risk due to its “apolitical attitude.”
On Saturday, the Berlinale issued a statement warning journalists that “artists should not be expected to speak on every political issue” happening in the world today. It seems some members of the media didn’t get the memo.
Free speech means you’re allowed to ask whatever question you like—but it does not mean an artist is obligated to answer it.