According to centercinemapress , citing Variety, Tilda Swinton was honored with an honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement at the opening ceremony of the 75th Berlinale International Film Festival, which was held last night

While holding his award, he protested the violence in today’s world in a speech, saying, “Inhumane behavior is happening before our eyes

In a poetic speech, the Oscar-winning actor praised the Berlinale as a borderless realm, not focused on the politics of exclusion, persecution or exile, and referred to the world of cinema as a “great sovereign state of cinema” that is inherently inclusive and responds to attempts to occupy, colonise, take over, own or expand by force to create a Riviera. With these words, he dealt a clear blow to Donald Trump’s announced plans for the Gaza Strip

He then stated that state-sponsored mass murder has been activated internationally and is causing terror in our world

“These are the facts,” Swinton said emphatically. “So let’s be clear about them; I am here to name them without hesitation, and to express my unwavering solidarity with all those who are fighting against our greed-addicted governments, against the planet-eaters and war criminals, wherever they come from

He concluded his speech with: Long live cinema and all its endless promises, a light in the darkness that never goes out

This year’s Berlinale is more politically charged than ever, taking place amid political unrest in Germany ahead of general elections. The elections have been marred by the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and its anti-immigrant stance. Although the Israeli-Palestinian war has now reached a ceasefire, the situation in Gaza remains fragile, and last week Trump proposed a plan to withdraw Palestinians from the territory and turn it into a “Riviera of the Middle East

Todd Haynes also attacked Trump

But before Swinton, it was Todd Haynes, the president of this year’s Berlin jury, who spoke out against Trump at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, saying: “We are in a particularly critical situation right now in America and also globally

Emphasizing that everyone is following the Trump administration’s numerous actions in its first three weeks with concern, he said that creating a sense of instability and fear among the people is his strategy, and that many people who voted for this president will soon be disillusioned by the promise of economic stability

Haynes also said: “The impact of Trump’s return on filmmaking is a question that goes beyond the world of filmmaking, and we need to see how one can honorably defend personal opinions and take a stand on these issues, especially in the world of filmmaking, where investors are involved who have to take risks

Swinton has appeared at the Berlinale many times, starring in 26 films, including “Caravaggio,” which won the festival’s Silver Bear in 1986. She chaired the Berlinale jury in 2009

The award was presented to the actor by Edward Berger, director of “The Congregation of Cardinals.” The two are set to work together in “The Ballad of a Little Playe

“Tilda Swinton is so good that many directors would work with her again, except for Todd Hines, who I think will do so in the future,” said Berger, referring to Hines, who was in the crowd and had worked with Swinton on “I’m Not There

Berger said that he has come to the conclusion that for him, the filmmaker comes first. For him, a good film grows out of the relationship with its creator, and through its performance, it takes the audience to different worlds

While Swinton was moved by these words, Berger added: “I like your theatricality, because for you it’s better to fail than to be safe

Swinton won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 2007 film “Michael Clayton

The Berlin Film Festival, which began yesterday, continues until February 23