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Meryl Streep Says 'We're All Africans' In Defence Of All-White Berlin Jury

Meryl Streep had an interesting view on concerns that the jury panel for the Berlin Film Festival was made up of all white judges.

The Oscar-winner was asked what she thought about the profile of the group, which includes herself alongside Clive Owen, actor Lars Eidinger, film critic Nick James, photographer Brigitte Lacombe, actress Alba Rohrwacher and director Malgorzata Szumowska, by an Egyptian reporter.

Concerned over whether they would be able to fully understand the offerings from North Africa and Arab countries, Streep admitted that she was fully au fait with such countries.

“I don’t know very much, honestly, about the Middle East, and yet I’ve played a lot of different people from a lot of different cultures,” she said.

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“The thing that I notice is that there is a core of humanity that travels right through every culture, and after all we’re all from Africa originally.

“Berliners, we’re all Africans, really.”

“We’re human beings and film is an emotional experience. So we’re going to make these decisions based on what our head wants to say, but we’re first attacked in the heart.”

She also added that despite being head of the panel, she’s bot entirely sure what she’s doing, but was pleased with the general, female-heavy make-up.

“I have no idea how to run a jury. But in the end I have two votes and (other jury members) only have one each.

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“This jury is evidence that at least women are included and in fact dominate this jury, and that’s an unusual situation in bodies of people who make decisions. So I think the Berlinale is ahead of the game.”

Streep’s remarks come following heavy criticism of the Oscars for failing to nominate any minority actors in any of the acting categories for the second year running.

The likes of Will Smith and Spike Lee are boycotting the event as a result.

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Image credits: AP