Overview
- Ethan Hawke told a Berlinale press conference that “the last place you probably want to look for advice in your spiritual counsel is a bunch of jet-lagged, drunk artists talking about their film.”
- He added a clear stance on extremism, saying, “Anything that fights fascism, I’m all for it.”
- Hawke described cinema as a collective, healing “international dream life,” positioning film as influential without casting artists as political experts.
- The festival has faced criticism after jury president Wim Wenders and several stars declined to address questions on Gaza and far-right politics, prompting an open letter signed by more than 80 participants including Tilda Swinton, Javier Bardem and Adam McKay.
- The Weight had its European premiere as a Special Gala in Berlin, with Hawke attending alongside director Padraic McKinley and cast members, while co-star Russell Crowe did not appear at the press conference.