Tom Morello Talks Politics and Passion at the Berlin Film Festival for ‘The Ballad of Judas Priest’

Stars at Berlin Film Festival Balancing Entertainment and Political Statements

At the Berlin Film Festival, several prominent figures, including Michelle Yeoh and Neil Patrick Harris, have refrained from explicit political commentary. However, musician-turned-director Tom Morello has taken a bold stance on the intersection of music and activism.

During a press conference for his documentary, The Ballad of Judas Priest, which premiered at the Berlinale, Morello addressed a question about political themes in cinema posed by a journalist from a Spanish radio outlet. “What a time to be alive where you can both make a documentary about one of your favorite bands and fight fascism at the same time,” he declared. Regarding Judas Priest, the British heavy metal band featured in his film, he added, “The band’s existence is very political.”

Directed by Morello and Sam Dunn, The Ballad of Judas Priest explores the band’s ascent from their origins in late 1960s Birmingham, England, to significant moments in their history, including lead singer Rob Halford’s coming out as gay and a controversial civil trial in 1990. That trial involved allegations that the band’s music contained subliminal messages that contributed to the suicides of two youths, a case that was later dismissed.

Highlighting the diverse audience at Judas Priest concerts, Morello noted, “When I’ve seen Judas Priest over the course of the last decade or so in Los Angeles, the audiences may be more than 50 percent Latino. It’s a lot of gay couples… but that community and the unity and harmony at a Judas Priest show is, in some ways, a model for how we might all do better.”

Halford joined Morello and Dunn at the press conference, openly discussing his views on politics in music. “It’s been impossible for me as a lyricist to not avoid seeing things in the world that affect me… particularly for my own people who are still suffering, are not given the human rights that they absolutely deserve,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of addressing these issues in his music while recognizing the need to approach such themes carefully.

The festival program describes the documentary as capturing how Judas Priest shaped the sound and aesthetic of metal music while fostering inclusivity. “The Ballad of Judas Priest speaks directly to our current moment,” it stated.

Prominent artists, including Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Run-DMC, and Billy Corgan, appear in the documentary, alongside actor and musician Jack Black. Morello described Black’s contribution as “spectacular” and noted, “He’s a scene stealer—surprise, surprise.”

In discussing the film’s objectives, Morello remarked, “There are two goals in making this film. One was to deliver the goods for Judas Priest fans… The other goal was that if you’ve never heard a note of Judas Priest music… the human stories are so compelling that it doesn’t matter if you don’t like heavy metal music.” He concluded by asserting that the band’s influence over half a century is a significant narrative worth telling, even for those unfamiliar with their music.