“There is something compelling and unique about this evening. And that has to do with Ukrainian-born actress Oksana Cherkashyna, who uses the political backdrop to deliver a powerful indictment of Russia—not only because of the humanitarian horror, but also because of the ‘ecocide’ that Russia is committing in Ukraine. To illustrate this, Cherkashyna shows us a short slideshow highlighting which animal and plant species have already been wiped out by the Russian war: the steppe crane, the spotted ground squirrel, the European sturgeon—simply listed, addressed matter-of-factly. It’s almost unbearable. The lump in your throat grows bigger.”
Christian Rakow, Nachtkritik, Oct. 12, 25
“The voting scenarios available oscillate between the devil and the deep blue sea, because every climate issue has now escalated into a social battle cry: Should we allow climate refugees to enter wealthy countries that are still intact, thereby risking social upheaval there, or should we resettle them in areas that have become accessible following the melting of the ice? Should the media be controlled to curb anti-scientific fake news? Surprisingly, a majority voted ‘yes’ on that last question. Minkowski and his newly founded ‘Theater of Knowledge’ take a fatally—and mercilessly populist—stance, but in doing so, they also hit a nerve.”
Doris Meierhenrich, Berliner Zeitung, Oct. 12, 25
“There’s no question about it: the evening is well-structured. It’s powerful. Will it persuade those who deny climate change to reconsider? Can dystopias even spur change, or would utopian narratives be more effective? ‘The Last Conference’ raises these questions as well while you watch and vote. And that’s a good thing. Any reflection keeps the issue in the public consciousness.”
Patrick Wildermann, Tagesspiegel, Oct. 12, 25