Berlinale rejects films over sexual misconduct concerns

(dpa)



Berlin – The Berlin Film Festival, due to take place this month, was forced to reject several entries amid concerns that a director or an actor had been involved in sexual misconduct, festival chief Dieter Kosslick said on Friday.

 
"The festival had forgone films when we heard that the filmmakers had outed themselves," Kosslick told foreign correspondents.
The revelations affected fewer than five films, Kosslick said, adding that the titles of the movies would mean very little to audiences.
The 68th Berlinale opens this month against a backdrop of anger triggered by revelations of sexual abuse in the film and entertainment industries as well as in politics.
"We have very clear rules with regard to sexism," the Berlinale chief said.
Kosslick went on to say that he could not guarantee that there would be no accusations surrounding other movies screened at the 10-day festival. The Berlinale screens about 400 films each year.
Kosslick stressed that the #MeToo movement, which emerged as a result of the claims of sexual misconduct by filmmakers, actors and politicians, would play a major role at the festival.
One of the world's leading film festivals, the Berlinale was planning a series of events and discussions that Kosslick said would demonstrate the festival's commitment to "tolerance and diversity".
Kosslick also pointed to the number of women directors in the race for Berlin's top honours, the Golden Bear for best film. Of the more than 20 films selected for the Berlinale's main competition, four movies are from women directors.

 



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