Neumann praises Berlinale’s ‘bridge building’

The minister underlined the Berlinale’s the cultural importance during his speech at the opening ceremony before the screening of Apart Together on Thursday evening.

“It was here that films were first shown from Eastern European countries and later from the GDR that would have otherwise never or only much later found their way into West German cinemas,” he recalled.

“With the opening film Apart Together, the Berlinale also demonstrates this year its traditional reputation as a builder of bridges for the Asian cinema as well,” Neumann said.

He also pointed out that “the bridge is also a fitting symbol for the 60th Berlinale. In the way that the city of Berlin once stood for the division of Germany, so the festival today stands for the overcoming of ostracism and hatred and for tolerance.”