![\"Ethan](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Ethan-Hawke-Actor-2025-Far-Out-Magazine-1140x855.jpg\")
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(Credits: Far Out \/ Bryan Berlin)<\/p>\n
Wed 18 February 2026 12:38, UK <\/p>\n
Ethan Hawke<\/a> has shared his thoughts on the recent debate surrounding the place of politics within art, as well as the rise of fascism and the conflict in Gaza, at this year\u2019s Berlin Film Festival.<\/p>\n When Hawke was asked what his position was on artists raising their voice to fight fascism, the Before Sunset actor began with a warning: \u201cThe last place you probably want to look for advice in your spiritual counsel is a bunch of jet-lagged, drunk artists talking about their films.\u201d<\/p>\n However, the 55-year-old continued his thought, adding, \u201cI believe in the power of cinema to affect\u2026 You know how every night we all dream and those dreams kind of heal us and get us ready for the next day? I feel like, collectively, the whole festival \u2014 all of you, all of us here \u2014 are responsible for creating an international dream life. What is it? What are our dreams? What are we talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n Hawke then related the question to The Weight, the upcoming historical drama in which Hawke stars as a Veteran attempting to save his family during the Great Depression, noting that \u201cat its core, it\u2019s about a group of people who don\u2019t think they have anything in common who band together to fight institutional greed and malevolence. And that\u2019s worth fighting for.\u201d<\/p>\n However, he finished with a striking, simplistic response to the original question, \u201cAnything that fights fascism, I\u2019m all for it.\u201d<\/p>\n This question comes at an interesting time for Berlinale, which has been at the centre of controversy this year after head juror Wim Wenders said \u201cwe should stay out of politics\u201d during the opening press conference, in response to a question about the German government\u2019s funding of the festival and its complicity with Israel.<\/p>\n More than 80 names who have previously appeared at the Berlin Film Festival, including the likes of Swinton and Bardem, have since signed an open letter<\/a> on February 17th to say they are \u201cdismayed\u201d at these actions.<\/p>\n In light of this, a reporter asked Hawke for his opinion on the open letter, as well as his response to the conflict in Gaza and the film festival\u2019s complicity in the story. He responded, \u201cThe last time I spoke publicly about any of this, I was really shocked about how much animosity it was met with.\u201d<\/p>\n He elaborated, \u201cYou know, people saying, \u2018Actors shouldn\u2019t talk about politics\u2019 and things like that. And I really feel like the answer is the absolute inverse, that everybody should be \u2014 we\u2019re all citizens of the world and all of us matter, all of us have a voice, and everybody\u2019s welcome to disagree. That\u2019s part of the benefit of living in a free society.\u201d<\/p>\n In the case of celebrities, their opinion is usually platformed the most as they \u201cget microphones thrown in front of our faces, but it\u2019s not because we\u2019re telling people what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n He added, \u201cWe\u2019re just sharing art. We\u2019re not some of the greatest minds in the world who try to make the planet live in peace.\u201d Nonetheless, Hawke insisted that every adult should \u201ctake care of all the children\u201d and \u201cthe young people in our lives, and make sure they have a good world.\u201d<\/p>\n Having said his piece, Hawke addressed the reporter once more: \u201cI feel like there\u2019s a slight agenda to your question that\u2019s different from my agenda. But I respect you, and I respect the question.\u201d<\/p>\n Berlin Film Festival will wrap up on February 22nd.<\/p>\n Actor Ethan Hawke declined to comment today on an open letter signed by 80+ famous artists criticizing the #Berlinale<\/a> for “silence” on Gaza: “I feel like there’s a slight agenda to your question that is different to my agenda. But I respect you and I respect the question.” pic.twitter.com\/LToJAFNvD7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tilo Jung (@TiloJung) February 17, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n The Far Out Film Newsletter<\/p>\n All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
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