Wenders defends 'antidote' remark as Gyllenhaal offers contrasting view

Wim Wenders clarified comments that sparked controversy at the Berlin Film Festival, saying he was not arguing that filmmakers should avoid politics altogether. Rather, he said filmmakers are distinct from politicians because they work through empathy and seek to change society rather than simply confirm existing conditions. His original remarks, made amid debate over Germany’s support for Israel during the Gaza war, were widely interpreted as urging filmmakers to stay out of politics and drew criticism from figures including author Arundhati Roy. Speaking at the Venice Film Festival while presenting a documentary about architect Peter Zumthor, Wenders said filmmakers should not adopt a political mindset and described them as “the antidote” to politics. Venice jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal offered a contrasting view, saying films are fundamentally political.