20th Berlin International Film Festival

Jury

The following people were announced as being on the jury for the festival:

• George Stevens, American filmmaker – Jury President
• Klaus Hebecker, West-German journalist and film critic
• David Neves, Brazilian filmmaker and producer
• , French journalist, writer and film critic
• Billie Whitelaw, British actress
• Alberto Lattuada, Italian filmmaker
• Dušan Makavejev, Yugoslavian filmmaker
• , Swedish journalist and film critic
• Manfred Durniok, West-German producer

Official sections

Main competition

The following films were in competition:

Controversy

During the screening of the film o.k., the film was interrupted. The jury, presided by American film director George Stevens, voted 6–3 to demand that Berlinale director Alfred Bauer, who was present at the screening, withdraw the film from the competition. The jury justified their decision by citing a FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations) guideline that said: "All film festivals should contribute to better understanding between nations". This accusation was based on the fact that the film reenacted the 1966 Incident on Hill 192 of the Vietnam War in the Bavarian forest depicting four American soldiers kidnapping, raping, stabbing and shooting a Vietnamese girl named Mao until she finally dies. A fifth soldier on the patrol refuses to take part in the attack on the girl and his report to his commander is buried in the files. Stevens, who had served during the Second World War, claimed that the film was anti-American.

One jury member, Dušan Makavejev, protested the decision, defended the film, and publicly supported director Michael Verhoeven and producer Rob Houwer. Bauer responded by citing the Berlinale's status as an "A" festival, meaning that once a film was accepted, it could not be excluded from competition. This led to confrontations between the Berlinale leadership and Stevens, as well as tensions with the international press. At a press conference, Verhoeven defended his film, stating: "I have not made an anti-American film. If I were an American, I would even say my film is pro-American. The biggest part of the American people today is against the war in Vietnam". Other directors that were taking part in the festival withdrew their films in protest. The jury was accused of censorship and eventually disbanded, therefore no prizes were awarded and the competition was suspended.

References

References

1. [https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/45383508 Wolfgang Jacobsen: ''50 Jahre Berlinale - Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin''] {{Webarchive. link. (8 July 2023 , page 165 – Nicolai, Berlin 2000. {{ISBN). 3-87584-905-1
2. "20th Berlin International Film Festival". berlinale.de.
3. [https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/45383508 Wolfgang Jacobsen: ''50 Jahre Berlinale - Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin''] {{Webarchive. link. (8 July 2023 , page 170 – Nicolai, Berlin 2000. {{ISBN). 3-87584-905-1
4. "Berlinale 1970: Prize Winners". berlinale.de.
5. (8 February 2012). "Berlinale beginnings".
6. Langford, Michelle. (2012). "Directory of World Cinema: Germany". Intellect Ltd.
7. "JURIES 1970". berlinale.de.
8. (July 3, 1970). "WAR FILM DROPPED BY BERLIN FESTIVAL". [[The New York Times]].
9. Langford, Michelle. (2012). "Directory of World Cinema: Germany". Intellect Ltd.
10. (February 4, 2020). "O.K. in the Forum Anniversary Programme".
11. (28 February 2020). "O.K.".
12. (10 February 2010). "Berlinale looks back on 60 years of war, scandal and glamour".