Iris Berben was honored with the Evolution ICON Award 2026 for her lifetime achievement at the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival in Palma, Mallorca. Celebrating nearly six decades on screen, the German actress delivered an inspiring speech advocating for greater representation and equity for women in the film industry, particularly those over the age of 40.
In an interview with Freundin, Berben reflected on the award, stating she finds the label of 'icon' flattering but prefers to remain connected to the people whose stories she portrays. She emphasized that actors should not distance themselves from society, viewing the recognition as a compliment rather than a status of divinity.
Berben highlighted the persistent challenges regarding gender equality, noting that while film schools may have a near 50-50 gender split, the professional industry sees a drastic shift toward male dominance, alongside significant issues with unequal pay. She stressed that true equality is not yet achieved and must be actively fought for, urging for more women to hold positions of power in financing and content development.
Addressing the scarcity of roles for older women, Berben pointed to recent studies showing that speaking animals appear four times more often in top blockbusters than women over 60. She argued that the industry needs to take more risks and allow audiences to engage with diverse, complex narratives. Quoting her favorite saying, she noted, 'It is nice to have money. It becomes dangerous when money has you,' advocating for art as a space for adventure and disobedience rather than pure commercial safety.
Looking forward, Berben expressed interest in working with younger generations to understand their stories and maintain her own visibility. She also highlighted the importance of 'complicity' or deep friendship, describing it as a protective space where artists can share vulnerabilities and overcome the complexities of the industry together.
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