Tom Morello spoke at a press conference at the Berlin Film Festival about the inherently political nature of his directorial debut, The Ballad of Judas Priest, calling the band a model for “how we can all be better.”
When asked his opinion on the political conversation at this year’s Berlinale, Morello said, “What a great time to be alive, to be able to make a documentary about your favorite band and fight fascism at the same time.”
After the crowd erupted in applause, he continued, “The band’s presence is very political. I’ve seen Judas Priest in Los Angeles for the last 10 years or so, and the audience was probably more than 50 percent Latino, with a lot of gay couples. It has nothing to do with Judas – yes, there are older men like me in leather jackets who probably bring their kids to the show – but that community and unity and harmony exists in one venue. In some ways, Priest’s show is a model for how we can all become better.”
The Rage Against the Machine guitarist and political activist is in Berlin for the world premiere of a documentary he co-directed with Sam Dunn. According to the synopsis, the doc, which follows heavy metal pioneers from their working-class origins in England’s Black Country to their recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, “delves deep into vocalist Rob Halford’s long struggles in heavy metal as a closeted gay man, and explores the ‘culture wars’ surrounding the band’s controversial high-profile court case during the Satanic Panic of the 1980s.”
Halford was also present at the press conference, adding, “When I see things in the world that affect me, I get angry and I can’t help but think, “Is there a way to put this in a song?”” And I’ve been doing it forever. ”
He went on to say, “On the last album, I’m not going to say his name, but I’m going to talk about the person,” possibly referring to U.S. President Donald Trump. “I really have to pull myself together because as I get older, I get angrier and angrier towards the world, especially the injustices towards my fellow citizens (the LGBTQ+ community) who are still suffering and are not given the human rights they absolutely deserve.”
Morello is known for being politically outspoken and has actively spoken out against the war in Gaza. In May 2021, they signed a boycott of performances in Israel and publicly called for a ceasefire. He also recently participated in protests over the ICE raid and deaths of Americans Renee Goode and Alex Preti in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and last month hosted a “Save Minnesota” benefit concert that included a surprise appearance by Bruce Springsteen.
The Berlin Film Festival has never been free from politics, but this year it made headlines for its stars’ avoidance of the topic. At the festival’s opening jury press conference, chairman Wim Wenders said artists should be “apolitical” and celebrities such as Michelle Yeoh and Neil Patrick Harris have refused to comment on current US events, sparking a social media backlash.
Late Saturday night, festival director Tricia Tuttle responded to the outcry with a statement that said in part: “Artists are free to exercise their right to free speech in any way they choose. Artists should not be expected to comment on all broader discussions about the festival’s past or present practices over which they have no control. Nor should they be expected to speak out on all political issues raised unless they wish to do so.”
