Yet another letter to or about the Berlinale. As the drama moves to the next level, solutions look increasingly elusive.
To Whom It May Concern:
The Berlinale 2026 Controversy continues with no sign of ending soon. One moment it looked as if the Tricia Tuttle was going to be removed by the KBB. The wait and see game is still going. One thing is certain, the Berlinale’s implosion maybe fatal regardless of the suspenseful outcome.
Funny, freedom of speech applies, until criticizing the festival. When we gave the waning Berlinale a bad review, the accreditation was declined. This was not a coincidence.
Suddenly, the press is openly writing about the Berlinale’s declining relevance. Better late than never, or perhaps their party invites got slimmer.
When the person signing the check openly declares a lack of confidence, good luck convincing others to have faith.
The posturing support for Tricia by the film community looks great, but could be as sturdy as a paper bag in a rainstorm.
Looking back on the last edition, clearly all could see the effect the storm was having on Ms. Tuttle, an exhausted face aching for calm. If she had a farewell party at BER Terminal 1 before heading back to London on a British Airways flight, no one would blame her. Besides, the Berlinale was in trouble long before the American’s arrival. Life is too short to spend three more years trying to save a sinking ship.
Politics is fine at a film festival, but when the political topics overshadow the films there is a problem. The Berlinale was no longer inspiring or joyous, instead, Potsdamer Platz in February is combative and sermonizing. Any wonder why sponsors, press and filmmakers stopped coming? A press conference loaded with booby trapped questions for a Gotcha Moment will scare away top talent.
No doubt, more rancor is going to find its way to the 2027 edition.
The Berlinale boxed itself into a corner. Finding a path out will be difficult.
Regards,
BlackandPaper.com