Joint Statement from Best Foreign Language Film Directors
Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 11:18AM 
The nominated directors from this year's Best Foreign Language Film nominees (Land of Mine, A Man Called Ove, The Salesman, Toni Erdmann, and Tanna) have released a joint statement about the Oscars, human rights, and the growing climate of nationalism around the world. It's a must read.
They write...
On behalf of all nominees, we would like to express our unanimous and emphatic disapproval of the climate of fanaticism and nationalism we see today in the U.S. and in so many other countries, in parts of the population and, most unfortunately of all, among leading politicians.
The fear generated by dividing us into genders, colors, religions and sexualities as a means to justify violence destroys the things that we depend on – not only as artists but as humans: the diversity of cultures, the chance to be enriched by something seemingly “foreign” and the belief that human encounters can change us for the better. These divisive walls prevent people from experiencing something simple but fundamental: from discovering that we are all not so different.
So we’ve asked ourselves: What can cinema do? Although we don’t want to overestimate the power of movies, we do believe that no other medium can offer such deep insight into other people’s circumstances and transform feelings of unfamiliarity into curiosity, empathy and compassion – even for those we have been told are our enemies.
Regardless of who wins the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film on Sunday, we refuse to think in terms of borders. We believe there is no best country, best gender, best religion or best color. We want this award to stand as a symbol of the unity between nations and the freedom of the arts.
Human rights are not something you have to apply for. They simply exist – for everybody. For this reason, we dedicate this award to all the people, artists, journalists and activists who are working to foster unity and understanding, and who uphold freedom of expression and human dignity – values whose protection is now more important than ever. By dedicating the Oscar to them, we wish to express to them our deep respect and solidarity.
Martin Zandvliet – Land of mine ( Denmark )
Hannes Holm – A Man called Ove ( Sweden )
Asghar Farhadi – The Salesman ( Iran )
Maren Ade – Toni Erdmann ( Germany )
Martin Butler, Bentley Dean – Tanna ( Australia )
After my own discussion with Farhadi late last year about The Salesman, I'm sure this solidarity was just beautiful to him. Much of his fondness for the Oscars came from the international experience and filmmaker networking during the season when he won for A Separation.
Reader Comments (9)
This is really lovely! Actually got the chills while reading it. Beautiful to see the solidarity and love that can come about as a response to such hate. <3
This sort of division happens when you silence or try to one group of people,they have a right to their views just like allof us living in a aDemocracy,you may not agree and it can make you fearful but the people who support Trump need to be heard as do the ones against him.
Everybody has the right to be heard, but some people (*youknowwho*) simply don't want to listen.
That's sweet...
Do they singling out the US, named by name, or are they also refering to the nominated country Iran, which bans Israeli citizens from entering the country, stone women to death and hang gay people?
MARJGORDONUK - I am sorry, but I am sick of hearing that. I really haven't heard of many people being silenced by others. I have heard of people saying to other people things like "you shouldn't say that", but that's just an opinion, not a silencing.
Silencing is things along the lines of a president banning certain news sources from briefings, so they cannot report on the contents accurately.
If T**** supporters felt they were silenced, maybe they just need to learn how to articulate themselves effectively, respectfully and in an engaging manner. Not just see the rest of the world as "them" and cheer for "us" when they get some semblance of power.
I love and respect that letter. Just lovely.
Of course someone needs to nitpick in a post like this.
Anyway, Michael, Israel is killing people left and right in Gaza strip and Palestine is not getting any peace any time soon, but that jew country still gets full support from Trump.
Bravo.
The US is singled out by name as the host country of the Academy Awards.
"jew country"
Nice...