US actress Anne Hathaway has expressed her admiration for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "I just want to express my gratitude to the film festival for including a hero of our time," said the 40-year-old on Thursday in Berlin. "And for giving us all the opportunity to reinforce Ukraine's message, which is the almost universal desire for peace."

She is sure "that there are many, many, many who want peace in this current complicated situation."

Hathaway plays a role in the film "She Came to Me" by director Rebecca Miller, which will open the Berlinale on Thursday evening. Miller said in the afternoon that she thinks it's "really great" that Zelenskyj will be connected to the opening ceremony via video and also described him as a hero.