The German film scene is a state-sponsored abyss of anti-Semitism. Quite apart from the fact that it has produced nothing of value for decades, it has degenerated into an ideologically contaminated, cowardly conformist apparatus that allows itself to be enslaved by a hysterical, anti-Israeli and, in some cases, openly anti-Semitic mob. The case of actress Sarah Maria Sander is only the latest, particularly disgusting proof of this.
Actress Sarah Maria Sander, who calls out the barbaric mass murder committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and refuses to sugarcoat or gloss over the Islamic slaughter of Jews, posts a clear statement in support of Israel and against terror in the summer of 2025. As a result, she was immediately dismissed from a leading role in the major film production ‘Maria Ohm’s Death Wish’ by the oh-so-progressive, state-subsidised cultural officials. According to Sander, she had been contractually guaranteed a leading role. The actress, who also works as a journalist, explains in the Bild newspaper: ‘The film is largely based on my autobiographical material, I co-wrote the script and was supposed to be a central part of the project in the role of Maria Ohm. This promise was the basis of the deal.’
Reason? Officially, of course, never ‘political’, but always some flimsy artistic or interpersonal platitudes. In reality: pure ideological witch-hunting. As Sander explains, her downfall was her response in August 2025 to an open letter from 200 filmmakers to Chancellor Friedrich Merz calling for a halt to arms deliveries to Israel. In a YouTube video, Sander accused the artists of hypocrisy. Then, in early December, her director Silvana Santamaria informed her in an email: ‘Dear Sarah, (…) several actors and agencies have made it clear to us that they refuse to work with you. Among other things, this was justified by public statements that have come to their attention (…) This feedback and your limited availability in January have led to the decision that it is not possible to implement the project with you as the lead actress in the current constellation.’
This is not an exception, it is the norm. For years, a climate of fear has prevailed in German theatres, film schools, funding bodies and ensembles: woe betide you if you deviate from the anti-Zionist narrative, woe betide you if you show even the slightest solidarity with the only democratic state in the Middle East, woe betide you if you call Islamic terror by its name. Then you are ‘toxic,’ ‘problematic,’ ‘no longer acceptable.’ Millions in taxpayer subsidies continue to flow into the same institutions, the same directors, the same ‘dramaturgs’ who cover up or even actively engage in such purges.
The German cultural scene should have its funding cut off very quickly. Completely. Immediately. Until further notice. Not a single euro more in tax money for institutions and projects where ideological tests are carried out and people are sorted out because of their attitudes towards democracy and human rights.
On X, Sanders announces that she will fight back: