Michelle Yeoh Says She’s “Not in the Position” to Discuss U.S. Political Situation

Berlin — Michelle Yeoh declined to comment on U.S. politics during a press conference at the Berlin International Film Festival, saying it would be inappropriate to speak on a subject she does not fully understand.

When asked whether she had any thoughts as an international actress on the current state of the United States — reportedly referencing political tensions and immigration enforcement actions — Yeoh responded carefully.

“I don’t think I am in the position to really talk about the political situation in the U.S., and also I cannot presume to say I understand how it is,” she said. “So, best not to talk about something I don’t know about.”

The Malaysian-born actress, who lives primarily in Switzerland, said she preferred to focus on cinema and its role in bringing people together.

“We hear, ‘Oh, cinema is not going to survive because there’s so many other things happening, the attention span is getting shorter.’ But I truly don’t believe that,” she said. “When we go to the cinema, that is time for you. You switch off your phones and you’ve chosen to watch something that you want. Cinema is a place where we all come together and laugh and cry. It’s always important to keep that tradition alive.”

Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award

Yeoh was presented with the festival’s honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement. The award was handed to her by director Sean Baker, who described her as “a once-in-a-generation screen presence.”

In her acceptance speech, Yeoh reflected on her journey in film and paid tribute to her late father.

“A part of me is still that young girl who simply wanted to make her parents proud,” she said. “My father is no longer here to see this moment. But I carry him with me, his discipline, his steadiness, his belief that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing well.”

Looking to Work With European Filmmakers

During the press conference, Yeoh expressed interest in working with more European directors and said she is eager to collaborate with Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro.

“I would love to be back here and working with the true greats of European cinema,” she said, encouraging filmmakers to consider her for future projects.

Representation and Breaking Barriers

Yeoh also spoke about the ongoing challenges of Asian representation in Hollywood. She recalled early skepticism surrounding films like Crazy Rich Asians and Everything Everywhere All at Once.

“At the time when he presented the movie, everyone was going, ‘Oh my God, he ticked all the wrong boxes — all-Asian cast, rom-com — it’s going to fall flat,’” she said of Crazy Rich Asians. “But fortunately, I think it hit a nerve.”

She described Everything Everywhere All at Once, which went on to win the Academy Award for best picture, as another risk that challenged industry expectations.

“It was courageous to do that,” she said. “But we prevailed. I sit here with a Golden Bear not because of just one movie, but the perseverance, the resilience, the stubbornness to say, ‘I won’t just go away. I will stay until the right changes are made.’”

Challenging Ageism in Hollywood

In a separate interview, Yeoh addressed ageism in the film industry, urging women not to accept being limited by stereotypes.

“Let’s not let them define us as women or put us in a box and say, ‘Oh, well, because now you’re this age, you should only play a grandmother,’” she said. “I’m like, ‘Hell, no. I will kick ass because I want to, and I still can.’”

As the Berlin Film Festival continues, Yeoh’s message was clear: while political debates may dominate headlines, she believes cinema remains a powerful space for connection, reflection and change.