As an actress I know, how power structures can create insecurity and how overwhelming it can be to feel dependency, how much space there is for abusive behavior in professional hierarchies. I understand how helpless and alone one feels within this “Normality” as a woman, especially when no one talks about it.

But now we are speaking up.

#metoo is a cathartic cyclone, a trailblazing. Finally, a spotlight is directed on this outdated system and all the abuses, which have so long been covered by silence, not only in one industry, but in whole societies it is being revealed.

Unstoppable change is in the air, Oprah Winfrey got to the heart of it: “Time’s up!”

All over the world women are raising their voices and connecting with each other. Their empowerment is the first step toward a larger, permanent change of the structures in which we live, love and work. It is about our common future. A future where #metoo is history.

It is our responsibility to guarantee the visibility of our movement. The whole world is watching us, therefore the members of the film industry are challenged to send clear signals.

In Hollywood the actresses wore black. In Berlin we want a black carpet.

It is our responsibility to show the world that sexual abuse, harassment, and discrimination against women no longer remain unseen - and not only in our business.  

That’s why I demand that Dieter Kosslick, director of the Berlinale, take a stance: Color the red Berlinale carpet black and send a clear signal that harassment, discrimination and abuse in the film business will not be accepted.

Black is the new Red! Join us now to request a black carpet for the Berlinale! #blackcarpetberlinale

Thanks a lot!

Claudia Eisinger

German​ | Spanish | English