Yellow Letters wins Berlin Golden Bear amid Gaza debate

Yellow Letters by İlker Çatak won the Golden Bear at the Berlin film festival; the event was accompanied by debate over politics in cinema related to Gaza.

Yellow Letters, a Turkey-set drama directed by İlker Çatak, won the Golden Bear at the 76th Berlin film festival. The film follows two Ankara theatre figures who lose their jobs after falling out of political favour; its title refers to official dismissal notices. Jury president Wim Wenders said the feature gave the jury chills and warned of signs of despotism. The ten-day event was accompanied by public debate over the role of politics in cinema, including criticism of Wenders's remarks and an open letter from several industry figures. Key points: - Yellow Letters won the Golden Bear and was described by jury president Wim Wenders as a film that warns of repression and resonated strongly with the jury. - The festival was marked by dispute over comments on politics in film; some invited participants withdrew and dozens of film industry figures signed an open letter expressing criticism related to Gaza. - Other awards included the Grand Jury prize for Emin Alper's Salvation, the third-place jury prize for Lance Hammer's Queen at Sea, the Silver Bear for best director to Grant Gee, and acting prizes for Sandra Hüller and a shared supporting award to Anna Calder-Marshall and Tom Courtenay. Summary: The Berlinale awarded films that address themes such as authoritarianism, immigration and ageing, while debates about cinema and politics were prominent during the festival. Undetermined at this time.