“Cinema helps us connect and understand each other,” says new Artistic Director Tricia Tuttle during the press conference announcing all the Competition and Perspectives titles, plus the few remaining films in their Special Gala program.
It’s an interesting year for Berlinale. The festival is in its 75th edition, with a whole new group of programmers and almost all new management. Tricia Tuttle, formerly of the BFI London Film Festival, will wear the Artistic Director’s hat left by Carlo Chatrian, who co-directed the festival with Mariëtte Rissenbeek for four years.
As she sat surrounded by her programming team, both on and off the stage, it was apparent that this year’s Berlinale is a kind of “it takes a village” affair. Nothing wrong with that, but there is certainly a missing central figure to the event, which is always inhabited by men and very seldom by women. Women never mind acknowledging the help of those around them, while men festival heads always put on the air of having done it all alone. Admitting the amount of films watched and hours spent at the job is also never done by women directors, while men, even co-director Michael Stütz on the stage today, will talk about their efforts and labor. It’s an interesting dynamic and one that never ceases to amaze me. I mean, women are super heroines, yet we never take the credit for being that.
Anyway, back to films. Stütz and Jacqueline Lyanga, both Co-Directors of Film Programming announced the line up alongside Tuttle, and it included some cool titles in the Competition section from the likes of Richard Linklater, who comes to Berlin with Blue Moon, the story of legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart as he confronts his former writing partner Richard Rodgers at the opening of his groundbreaking musical Oklahoma, starring Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, Bobby Cannavale and Andrew Scott. But also Michel Franco’s latest collaboration with American star Jessica Chastain, titled Dreams, where she plays a socialite in love with a Mexican ballet dancer — played by ABT Guest Artist Isaac Hernández.
Hot Milk by British playwright Rebecca Lenkiewicz stars Emma Mackey, Fiona Shaw, Vicky Krieps and Vincent Perez in the story of a mother and daughter who journey to a Spanish seaside town to meet an enigmatic healer. And fresh from Sundance the A24 comedy drama by American actress Mary Bronstein titled If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, which stars Rose Byrne, A$AP Rocky, Conan O'Brien, Danielle Macdonald and Ivy Wolk and tells the story of Linda as she attempts to navigate her child’s mysterious illness, an absent partner, a missing person and a problematic therapist.
Mother's Baby by Johanna Moder stars Claes Bang and deals with when a family dream becomes a nightmare, as the 40-year-old Julia struggles to bond with her newborn child.
La Tour de Glace (The Ice Tower) by Lucile Hadžihalilović sounds fascinating and stars Marion Cotillard and Gaspar Noé, among others and tells the story of Jeanne, a young runaway, who falls under the spell of Cristina, the enigmatic star of The Snow Queen, a film which is being shot in the studio where Jeanne has taken refuge.
What Does that Nature Say to You by the Korean maestro Hong Sangsoo deals with a young poet who drops his girlfriend off at her parents’ house and is amazed by its size. He then bumps into her father, meets her mother and sister, and they all end up spending a long day together; fueled by conversation, food and libations.
O último azul (The Blue Trail) by the Brazilian Gabriel Mascaro is a film edited by legendary Chilean editor/writer Sebastían Sepulveda and tells the story of the 77-year-old Tereza who refuses to relocate to a new home and instead embarks on a life-changing journey through the Amazon and stars the younger Denise Weinberg in the role of Tereza.
Lastly, in Competition, Yunan is the sole semi-Arab title in Competition by Ukrainian-Syrian filmmaker Ameer Fakher Eldin, starring Georges Khabbaz, Ali Suliman and legendary German actress Hanna Schygulla, in the story of Munir, who seeks solitude to contemplate a final act, only to find unexpected solace in the quiet presence of Valeska (Schygulla), whose compassion reignites his fading will to live.
The new section Perspectives comprises of 14 feature film debuts, of which twelve are world premieres and two are international premieres. 19 production countries are represented. Five films were directed or co-directed by women, two films were directed by non-binary directors. They are all debut feature narratives films.
Once again, only one title from Egypt, representing the whole of the Arab world and that is Al mosta'mera (The Settlement) by Mohamed Rashad with Adham Shoukry, Ziad Islam, Hajar Omar, Mohamed Abdel Hady and Emad Ghoneim. The film deals with the aftermaths of a father’s death when the only compensation offered to the family is the chance for his two sons, Hossam (23) and Maro (12) to be employed in the same factory, side by side with the man responsible for their father’s death.
Finally, more titles were added to the Berlinale Special Gala program, including the German premiere of James Mangold’s Golden Globes nominated film A Complete Unknown starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan.
And in the Berlinale Special program, Tom Shoval’s A Letter To David and also Burhan Qurbani’s No Beast. So Fierce. starring Palestinian legend Hiam Abbass.
This year’s Jury President is Todd Haynes, as was previously announced and Tilda Swinton, who has been to the Berlin Film Festival a record 26 times, will receive an honorary career prize on opening night.
This year’s 75th anniversary Berlinale takes place from February 13-23 and for more info about the festival, or purchase tickets once they become available, visit their website.
Check out all the titles announced on Screen International.