Wim Wenders: No reason to boycott Israel

The German director Wim Wenders arrived in Israel Sunday, and will participate in the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School.

Wenders, who is president of the European Film Academy, lives and works in the United States, and has played a significant role in how Israeli cinema was accepted in Europe. He also was instrumental in Israel's and the Palestinian Authority's membership in the academy.

At a press conference yesterday, Wenders said he had visited Israel before and considers himself a friend of Israeli cinema.

"Israel is one of the more complex places in the world. The people that I met here and during my travels here have led me to develop a special bond to the place," he said.

"Palermo Shooting," a new film by Wenders, premiered at the Jerusalem Cinematheque yesterday, and was followed by a dialog with the publc.

Also screened were two other short films Wenders shot in Congo, as part of his work with Medecins Sans Frontieres.

When asked about the cultural boycott of Israel, led by British director Ken Loach, among others, Wenders said that he does not consider cultural boycotts an effective means for change.

"Our aim is to advance films. When I consider the films emerging from here, I see no reason to boycott them. On the contrary," Wenders said.