[Photo &] 76th Berlin International Film Festival Closing, Golden Bear 'Yellow Letters'... "Let's Fight the Dictators"

The 76th Berlin International Film Festival once again proved its identity as a 'political film festival'. The highest honor of the year, the Golden Bear, went to Turkish-German director İlker Çatak for 'Yellow Letters'. The jury announced this result at the awards ceremony held on the 21st (local time) at the Berlinale Palast in Berlin, Germany, emphasizing the power of resistance that the film embodies.

'Yellow Letters' depicts the desperate survival of an artist couple who lose their home due to state power and face a crisis of family disintegration in Istanbul. This film, produced entirely in Turkish, marks the first time a German director has won the Golden Bear since Fatih Akin's 'When We Talk About the Rain' in 2004, a remarkable achievement after 22 years.

The highlight of the awards ceremony was Director Çatak's acceptance speech. He raised the trophy and delivered a powerful message to the audience. "The real threat is not among us, but over there with the dictators. Nihilists of our time are seizing power and destroying lives. Let's not fight each other, but fight them." His appeal drew a standing ovation from the filmmakers present.

This year, Berlin clearly conveyed a socially critical message through the major award winners. ▲Silver Bear Jury Prize went to Emine Alper's 'Salvation', while the ▲Silver Bear Jury Award was awarded to Lance Hammer's 'Queen at Sea'. The ▲Silver Bear for Best Director was awarded to Grant Gee for directing 'Everyone Digs Bill Evans'.

In the acting category, the performance of 'Queen of Oscars' Zandra Wheeler stood out. Winning the Silver Bear for Best Actress for the film 'Rose', she secured her second Silver Bear after 2006, reaffirming her status as a global actress. The Silver Bear for Best Supporting Actress was jointly awarded to Anna Calder-Marshall and Tom Courtenay for 'Queen at Sea'.

This film festival was hotter than ever due to the debate surrounding 'the political expression freedom of artists'. At the opening ceremony, Wim Wenders, the jury chair, drew a line by stating he could not enter the political arena regarding questions about the Gaza conflict, which instead provoked backlash from filmmakers. The awards stage ultimately became a platform for political condemnation.

Director Al-Katib, who received the Best New Director Award, expressed solidarity with the people of Iran under dictatorship and the Palestinians in Gaza. Lebanese director Marie-Rose Osta, who won the short Golden Bear, also broke the silence by sharply criticizing the Israeli government. Over 100 prominent filmmakers, including Ken Loach and Tilda Swinton, also demanded a clear opposition to Israel's war crimes from the Berlin Film Festival through an open letter.

The Berlin Film Festival has traditionally placed weight on the political and social roles of film compared to other festivals like Cannes and Venice. Awarding both the first and second prizes to critical films with a Turkish background this year can be interpreted as a commitment to continue this legacy. However, the structural limitations of receiving budget support from the German government and the passive attitude towards the Gaza issue remain a dilemma for the festival.

Additionally, the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay was awarded to Geneviève Dullédrucel for 'Nina Rosa', and the Silver Bear for Artistic Contribution went to the documentary 'Yo: Love is a Rebellious Bird'.

Meanwhile, this year's Berlin Film Festival attracted attention as Korean actress Bae Doona participated as a jury member. The above photo shows the international jury posing before the awards ceremony. (From left) Reynaldo Marcus Green, Min Bahadur Bam, Bae Doona, Wim Wenders, Hikari, Eva Puszczyńska.

International jury member Bae Doona presenting the Silver Bear to the actors. In 'Queen at Sea', they portrayed a couple facing the harsh reality of dementia.