It can be a fine line between goodbye and good riddance. Carlo Chatrian might have breathed a sigh of relief when his tenure as Berlinale’s creative director came to an end this February, yet wherever the festival goes from here, his reign will be warmly remembered. Not least for Encounters, the sidebar he instituted, which fast became a home and launching pad for films too daring or challenging for the competition proper. This year’s edition opened with a film that felt like a legacy pick: in 2022, Ruth Beckermann’s Mutzenbacher became the first documentary to win the top prize, and Beckermann returned this year with Favoriten, a work that itself seemed to echo and engage with another gem of the Chatrian reign, Mr. Bachman and His Class, a film about a multi-cultural classroom in a German high school. Beckermann’s film moves that concept to the most diverse neighborhood in Vienna,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Rory O'Connor
- The Film Stage
Nicole Vögele’s The Landscape And The Fury was awarded the $22,000 grand jury prize at the Swiss documentary festival Visions du Réel today (April 19).
The Swiss director’s latest feature, which world premiered in the international competition at the festival, centres around migrants at the Bosnian-Croatian border region.
A special jury prize of $11,000 was presented to Nelson Makengo’s Rising Up At Night about a power plant in the Congo which causes a severe blackout, affecting 17 million people. The documentary had its world premiere in Berlinale Panorama in February.
The international jury was comprised of former Berlinale and Locarno festival...
The Swiss director’s latest feature, which world premiered in the international competition at the festival, centres around migrants at the Bosnian-Croatian border region.
A special jury prize of $11,000 was presented to Nelson Makengo’s Rising Up At Night about a power plant in the Congo which causes a severe blackout, affecting 17 million people. The documentary had its world premiere in Berlinale Panorama in February.
The international jury was comprised of former Berlinale and Locarno festival...
- 4/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
“The Landscape and the Fury” by Switzerland’s Nicole Vögele took the Grand Jury Prize in the International Feature Film Competition at Swiss doc festival Visions du Réel on Friday.
Shot on the Bosnian-Croatian border, which is also the European Union border, the film unveils the struggle of refugees being chased away by police and navigating a terrain still contaminated with mines from the Bosnian War.
It marks a return to VdR for Vögele, who premiered her first short film “Mrs Loosli” at the fest in 2013. Her 2018 debut feature, “Closing,” won the Special Jury Prize for Filmmakers of the Present at Locarno.
Her win marks a hat-trick for Swiss documentaries after Peter Mettler picked up the top prize last year with “Where the Green Grass Grows” and Tizian Büchi won in 2022 with “L’Îlot.”
The jury, composed of Italian journalist and former Berlinale artistic director Carlo Chatrian, producer Dora Bouchoucha and filmmaker Carmen Jaquier,...
Shot on the Bosnian-Croatian border, which is also the European Union border, the film unveils the struggle of refugees being chased away by police and navigating a terrain still contaminated with mines from the Bosnian War.
It marks a return to VdR for Vögele, who premiered her first short film “Mrs Loosli” at the fest in 2013. Her 2018 debut feature, “Closing,” won the Special Jury Prize for Filmmakers of the Present at Locarno.
Her win marks a hat-trick for Swiss documentaries after Peter Mettler picked up the top prize last year with “Where the Green Grass Grows” and Tizian Büchi won in 2022 with “L’Îlot.”
The jury, composed of Italian journalist and former Berlinale artistic director Carlo Chatrian, producer Dora Bouchoucha and filmmaker Carmen Jaquier,...
- 4/19/2024
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
The Berlinale’s new festival director Tricia Tuttle has spoken for the first time about the controversy surrounding the festival’s awards ceremony on February 24.
Tuttle appeared before members of the German Bundestag’s Culture and Media Committee on Wednesday afternoon (April 10) to discuss pro-Gaza speeches and other incidents at this year’s Berlinale.
Tuttle said: “As an international festival, it is really important that we continue to represent and be open and welcoming to everyone in the world.
“We are trying to maintain spaces where Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers can speak in a way that they can feel safe.
Tuttle appeared before members of the German Bundestag’s Culture and Media Committee on Wednesday afternoon (April 10) to discuss pro-Gaza speeches and other incidents at this year’s Berlinale.
Tuttle said: “As an international festival, it is really important that we continue to represent and be open and welcoming to everyone in the world.
“We are trying to maintain spaces where Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers can speak in a way that they can feel safe.
- 4/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
Time of Maturity.How does one determine the success of a film festival? There is no single definition of success, but rather a range of competing interests. An event as large as the Berlin International Film Festival, or Berlinale—with a roughly €29 million budget, over 200 films in its program, public attendance in the hundreds of thousands, and a substantial “commercial component” in the form of the European Film Market (EFM), held simultaneously—is unfairly required to satisfy multiple, often contradictory needs.The majority of attendees are simply hoping that their €15 public admission will be a rewarding cinematic experience, rather than a waste of time and money. Filmmakers and talent are seeking to show their art at an event that ideally provides remuneration in the form of prestige, exposure, artist fees, an avid audience, and industry professionals who may shepherd their films to viewers in other countries. Distributors with a wide...
- 3/25/2024
- MUBI
Favoriten.Speaking at the press conference to inaugurate the 74th Berlinale, actor and competition jury president Lupita Nyong'o said that she had heard one remark repeated since she had arrived in the German capital: “how political the Berlinale is.” She was not alone in being “curious to learn what that meant.”When we expect the Berlinale to be political, what indeed do we expect? Dependent on nation-states and multinational corporations for funding, major film festivals like the Berlinale are only politically outspoken, today, when it is convenient or uncontroversial. Given that the Berlinale is typically perceived as more political than Cannes and Venice, the hypocrisy of that reputation combined with the sad reality of the institution’s commitments under late capitalism can be—for cinephiles who are dedicated both to radical film and radical politics—a bitter pill to swallow. At the height of the festival, the United Nations estimated...
- 3/25/2024
- MUBI
The Berlin Film Festival’s parent org the Kbb, which oversees state-backed cultural events in the German capital, has posted job ads for four key executive roles ahead of the arrival of the event’s new director Tricia Tuttle in April.
They include a new Chief of Staff role which is described as a key management level position within the Berlinale leadership team.
The appointee will give close support to Tuttle, who will be Berlinale’s sole director after the ditching of the dual directorship structure tried out with departed Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian and MD Mariette Rissenbeek.
As per the ad, the Chief of Staff’s duties will include “proactive and effective selection, prioritization and control of all communication from the festival management to ensure a smooth exchange of information.”
Getting the Berlinale’s communication strategy on track will be a priority for the new management team, after a difficult 74th edition.
They include a new Chief of Staff role which is described as a key management level position within the Berlinale leadership team.
The appointee will give close support to Tuttle, who will be Berlinale’s sole director after the ditching of the dual directorship structure tried out with departed Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian and MD Mariette Rissenbeek.
As per the ad, the Chief of Staff’s duties will include “proactive and effective selection, prioritization and control of all communication from the festival management to ensure a smooth exchange of information.”
Getting the Berlinale’s communication strategy on track will be a priority for the new management team, after a difficult 74th edition.
- 3/25/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Off-screen at least, Berlinale was a political mess this year. The final edition of director Carlo Chatrian, who came from Locarno six years ago and brought his adventurous taste with him, was marred by conflict. The festival began with prominent and necessary protests against genocide in Gaza and controversy over the invitation (later revoked) of leaders from Germany’s far-right AfD party. And it ended ugly, when No Other Land co-director Yuval Abraham, who made his film with a Palestinian-Israeli collective of filmmakers and activists, received death threats and had his family in Israel menaced after his acceptance speech for its […]
The post Critic’s Notebook: The 2024 Berlin International Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Critic’s Notebook: The 2024 Berlin International Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 3/21/2024
- by Steve Dollar
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Off-screen at least, Berlinale was a political mess this year. The final edition of director Carlo Chatrian, who came from Locarno six years ago and brought his adventurous taste with him, was marred by conflict. The festival began with prominent and necessary protests against genocide in Gaza and controversy over the invitation (later revoked) of leaders from Germany’s far-right AfD party. And it ended ugly, when No Other Land co-director Yuval Abraham, who made his film with a Palestinian-Israeli collective of filmmakers and activists, received death threats and had his family in Israel menaced after his acceptance speech for its […]
The post Critic’s Notebook: The 2024 Berlin International Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Critic’s Notebook: The 2024 Berlin International Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 3/21/2024
- by Steve Dollar
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Swiss documentary festival Visions du Réel (VdR) has revealed the line-up for its 55th edition (April 12-21) which opens with the IDFA- and Göteborg selection As The Tide Comes In by Juan Palacios (and co-directed by Sofie Husum Johannesen).
The full selection includes 128 films, 88 of which are world premieres.
Among the 14 world premieres in international competition is Apple Cider Vinegar from Belgium’s Sofie Benoot whose 2020 documentary Victoria won the Caligari award at Berlinale Forum. Her latest feature is part nature documentary, part philosophical tale beginning with the journey of a kidney stone.
Other world premieres include Swiss titles The...
The full selection includes 128 films, 88 of which are world premieres.
Among the 14 world premieres in international competition is Apple Cider Vinegar from Belgium’s Sofie Benoot whose 2020 documentary Victoria won the Caligari award at Berlinale Forum. Her latest feature is part nature documentary, part philosophical tale beginning with the journey of a kidney stone.
Other world premieres include Swiss titles The...
- 3/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
Swiss documentary film festival Visions du Réel has unveiled the program for its 55th edition, which includes 10 first films out of 15 in the main international competition, cementing its reputation as a springboard for emerging talent.
The official selection includes 165 films from 50 countries and no fewer than 88 world premieres, making VdR the place to be in April on the international non-fiction film calendar.
Key figures from the world of cinema will be attending including outgoing Berlinale artistic director Carlo Chatrian in the main competition jury, Argentine director and screenwriter Martín Rejtman with his latest film “Riders” in the Burning Lights section, and celebrated French author Christine Angot with her debut film “Une Famille,” which premiered in Berlin.
This year’s opening film is Juan Palacios and Sofie Johannesen’s “As the Tide Comes In,” which has been touring the festival circuit since opening at IDFA. Guests of honor include acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhang-Ke,...
The official selection includes 165 films from 50 countries and no fewer than 88 world premieres, making VdR the place to be in April on the international non-fiction film calendar.
Key figures from the world of cinema will be attending including outgoing Berlinale artistic director Carlo Chatrian in the main competition jury, Argentine director and screenwriter Martín Rejtman with his latest film “Riders” in the Burning Lights section, and celebrated French author Christine Angot with her debut film “Une Famille,” which premiered in Berlin.
This year’s opening film is Juan Palacios and Sofie Johannesen’s “As the Tide Comes In,” which has been touring the festival circuit since opening at IDFA. Guests of honor include acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhang-Ke,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
The Berlin Film Festival could face major changes aimed at preventing a repeat of this year’s award ceremony, where several winners criticized Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza and expressed support for an immediate ceasefire.
The statements, which included Ben Russell, co-director of Encounters best film winner Direct Action, using the word “genocide” to describe Israeli military action in the region and Israeli filmmaker Yuval Abraham, co-director of best documentary winner No Other Land, referring to conditions for Palestinians as “apartheid,” set off a political firestorm within Germany. Prominent politicians, both left- and right-wing, branded the statements “antisemitic” and called for “consequences.”
On Monday night, the advisory council for Federal Cultural Events in Berlin (Kbb), the group that oversees several government-backed cultural institutions, including the Berlinale, criticized the festival and, by association, outgoing Berlinale directors Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian for not doing more to distance the festival from such Israel-critical commentary.
The statements, which included Ben Russell, co-director of Encounters best film winner Direct Action, using the word “genocide” to describe Israeli military action in the region and Israeli filmmaker Yuval Abraham, co-director of best documentary winner No Other Land, referring to conditions for Palestinians as “apartheid,” set off a political firestorm within Germany. Prominent politicians, both left- and right-wing, branded the statements “antisemitic” and called for “consequences.”
On Monday night, the advisory council for Federal Cultural Events in Berlin (Kbb), the group that oversees several government-backed cultural institutions, including the Berlinale, criticized the festival and, by association, outgoing Berlinale directors Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian for not doing more to distance the festival from such Israel-critical commentary.
- 3/12/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. To keep up with our latest features, sign up for the Weekly Edit newsletter and follow us @mubinotebook.Newsa Different Man.IATSE, Teamsters, and the Hollywood Basic Crafts unions began bargaining jointly with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers after a thousands-strong rally in Los Angeles. In Variety, IATSE president Matthew Loeb discusses the union’s priorities and the threat of another strike after the current contract expires on July 31.In an open letter, Carlo Chatrian, the outgoing artistic director of the Berlinale, and Mark Peranson, the festival’s head of programming, respond to the backlash that followed the closing ceremony, at which a number of award recipients called for a ceasefire in Gaza: “This year’s festival was a place for dialogue and exchange for ten days; yet once the films stopped rolling, another form of communication...
- 3/6/2024
- MUBI
Berlin Film Festival 2025 Dates
Next year’s Berlin Film Festival will run from February 13 to 23. The edition will be Tricia Tuttle’s first as festival head. Tuttle takes over from Executive Director Mariette Rissenbeek and Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian, who stepped down after the last edition. Rissenbeek and Chatrian have been jointly running the festival since 2019 under a dual management structure put in place following the departure of Berlinale long-time director Dieter Kosslick after 18 years at the helm. Tuttle was previously director of the London Film Festival.
Cannes Film Festival Selection Presser
The Cannes Film Festival will announce its official selection on April 11. Presiding over this year’s official competition is Barbie filmmaker Greta Gerwig. Quebecois filmmaker Xavier Dolan will lead the Un Certain Regard Jury. High-profile films currently tipped for the Croisette include George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which Cannes chief Thierry Frémaux has said he...
Next year’s Berlin Film Festival will run from February 13 to 23. The edition will be Tricia Tuttle’s first as festival head. Tuttle takes over from Executive Director Mariette Rissenbeek and Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian, who stepped down after the last edition. Rissenbeek and Chatrian have been jointly running the festival since 2019 under a dual management structure put in place following the departure of Berlinale long-time director Dieter Kosslick after 18 years at the helm. Tuttle was previously director of the London Film Festival.
Cannes Film Festival Selection Presser
The Cannes Film Festival will announce its official selection on April 11. Presiding over this year’s official competition is Barbie filmmaker Greta Gerwig. Quebecois filmmaker Xavier Dolan will lead the Un Certain Regard Jury. High-profile films currently tipped for the Croisette include George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which Cannes chief Thierry Frémaux has said he...
- 3/5/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
The 75th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival will run February 13-23, 2025.
It will mark the first edition of the festival under new director Tricia Tuttle who takes the helm from Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek next month (April 1).
The Baftas, which has clashed with the film festival almost every year since 2004, has not yet announced the date for its 2025 awards ceremony.
This year’s Berlinale sold 324,000 tickets - up from last year’s 320,000 total but still not in line with the last pre-pandemic edition in 2020 where 330,000 tickets were sold.
Dates for the European Film Market (EFM), which runs during the festival,...
It will mark the first edition of the festival under new director Tricia Tuttle who takes the helm from Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek next month (April 1).
The Baftas, which has clashed with the film festival almost every year since 2004, has not yet announced the date for its 2025 awards ceremony.
This year’s Berlinale sold 324,000 tickets - up from last year’s 320,000 total but still not in line with the last pre-pandemic edition in 2020 where 330,000 tickets were sold.
Dates for the European Film Market (EFM), which runs during the festival,...
- 3/5/2024
- ScreenDaily
The 2024 edition of the Berlinale continues to generate heated debate around Israel’s war in Gaza, with out-going Berlin festival artistic director Carlo Chatrian defending the Feb. 24 closing awards show speeches against mounting criticism from German politicians and media.
“This year’s festival was a place for dialogue and exchange for ten days; yet once the films stopped rolling, another form of communication has been taken over by politicians and the media, one which weaponizes and instrumentalizes antisemitism for political means,” Chatrian said in a letter posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.
The artistic chief argued statements made on stage at Saturday’s closing awards gala were protected under German freedom of speech laws.
“No matter our individual political convictions or beliefs, we should all keep in mind that freedom of speech is an essential part of what defines a democracy. The award ceremony on Saturday, February 24 has been...
“This year’s festival was a place for dialogue and exchange for ten days; yet once the films stopped rolling, another form of communication has been taken over by politicians and the media, one which weaponizes and instrumentalizes antisemitism for political means,” Chatrian said in a letter posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.
The artistic chief argued statements made on stage at Saturday’s closing awards gala were protected under German freedom of speech laws.
“No matter our individual political convictions or beliefs, we should all keep in mind that freedom of speech is an essential part of what defines a democracy. The award ceremony on Saturday, February 24 has been...
- 3/1/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Outgoing Berlinale artistic director Carlo Chatrian has spoken out about the political discourse surrounding the festival’s closing ceremony this year.
As the Berlinale handed out prizes on Saturday night, several winning filmmakers took the opportunity in their acceptance speeches to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Instagram of the Berlinale’s Panorama section was also hacked to display messages that the festival said were antisemitic.
This led to backlash from both German politicians and festival organizers, with the Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, writing on X: “What happened yesterday at the Berlinale was an unacceptable relativization. There is no place for antisemitism in Berlin, and that also applies to the arts.” Some who delivered said speeches, including Israeli “No Other Land” filmmaker Yuval Abraham, said that they have been receiving death threats since the ceremony.
In a letter posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, Chatrian wrote that...
As the Berlinale handed out prizes on Saturday night, several winning filmmakers took the opportunity in their acceptance speeches to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The Instagram of the Berlinale’s Panorama section was also hacked to display messages that the festival said were antisemitic.
This led to backlash from both German politicians and festival organizers, with the Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, writing on X: “What happened yesterday at the Berlinale was an unacceptable relativization. There is no place for antisemitism in Berlin, and that also applies to the arts.” Some who delivered said speeches, including Israeli “No Other Land” filmmaker Yuval Abraham, said that they have been receiving death threats since the ceremony.
In a letter posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, Chatrian wrote that...
- 3/1/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Outgoing Berlinale co-director Carlo Chatrian said criticism of pro-Gaza, anti-war speeches made at this year’s awards ceremony “weaponises antisemitism… for political means”.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Chatrian, who has stepped down from his role after five years, said: “This year’s festival was a place for dialogue and exchange for ten days; yet once the films stopped rolling, another form of communication has been taken over by politicians and the media, one which weaponises and instrumentalises antisemitism for political means.”
The post was co-signed by head of programming Mark Peranson.
They added: “The award ceremony on Saturday, February...
In a lengthy Instagram post, Chatrian, who has stepped down from his role after five years, said: “This year’s festival was a place for dialogue and exchange for ten days; yet once the films stopped rolling, another form of communication has been taken over by politicians and the media, one which weaponises and instrumentalises antisemitism for political means.”
The post was co-signed by head of programming Mark Peranson.
They added: “The award ceremony on Saturday, February...
- 3/1/2024
- ScreenDaily
Outgoing Berlinale head Carlo Chatrian has distanced himself from the criticism made of the fest’s closing ceremony speeches earlier this week.
On Wednesday, Israeli filmmaker Yuval Abraham, who last week picked up the best documentary award at the Berlin Film Festival, said he received death threats and had to cancel his flight home after German officials and Israeli media described his acceptance speech as “anti-Semitic.” He said “a right-wing Israeli mob came to my family’s home yesterday to search for me, threatening close family members who fled to another town in the middle of the night.”
In a new letter today posted on X, Chatrian, who has just presided over his final Berlinale, said the awards ceremony over the weekend “has been targeted in such a violent way that some people now see their lives threatened.”
“This is unacceptable,” wrote Chatrian. You can read the full letter below.
On Wednesday, Israeli filmmaker Yuval Abraham, who last week picked up the best documentary award at the Berlin Film Festival, said he received death threats and had to cancel his flight home after German officials and Israeli media described his acceptance speech as “anti-Semitic.” He said “a right-wing Israeli mob came to my family’s home yesterday to search for me, threatening close family members who fled to another town in the middle of the night.”
In a new letter today posted on X, Chatrian, who has just presided over his final Berlinale, said the awards ceremony over the weekend “has been targeted in such a violent way that some people now see their lives threatened.”
“This is unacceptable,” wrote Chatrian. You can read the full letter below.
- 3/1/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Berlin has disgraced itself as both a festival and a host city. The trouble started months before the festival began, as it was announced last summer that Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian — who helped steer the world’s largest festival through the pandemic, and worked to maintain a measure of glitz and glamor while also displaying a curatorial precision that’s unheard of for an event of this size — would not be invited to return for the 2025 edition as part of a cost-cutting measure instituted by the German government.
That news anticipated a festival that would repeatedly fail to reconcile the realities of art and politics — or to even acknowledge its responsibility to try — at a time when pretending as if those two forces can be siloed away from each other feels delusional on its face (bonus irony: The Berlinale was first proposed by an American officer who felt an international...
That news anticipated a festival that would repeatedly fail to reconcile the realities of art and politics — or to even acknowledge its responsibility to try — at a time when pretending as if those two forces can be siloed away from each other feels delusional on its face (bonus irony: The Berlinale was first proposed by an American officer who felt an international...
- 2/26/2024
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Mati Diop’s documentary Dahomey, about artefacts being returned from Paris to present-day Benin, was awarded the Golden Bear for best film at the Berlin International Film Festival tonight (February 24).
The film, handled internationally by Les Film du Losange, is the second from the African continent to take the Berlinale’s top prize after Mark Dornford-May’s musical U-Carmen eKhayelitsha in 2005. It is also the second year in a row that a documentary has clinched the Golden Bear, following Nicolas Philibert’s On The Adamant last year.
In her speech, Diop said: “To restitute is to do justice. We can...
The film, handled internationally by Les Film du Losange, is the second from the African continent to take the Berlinale’s top prize after Mark Dornford-May’s musical U-Carmen eKhayelitsha in 2005. It is also the second year in a row that a documentary has clinched the Golden Bear, following Nicolas Philibert’s On The Adamant last year.
In her speech, Diop said: “To restitute is to do justice. We can...
- 2/24/2024
- ScreenDaily
Winners have been announced at the 74th Berlin Film Festival, with Dahomey by French-Senegalese filmmaker Mati Diop scooping the coveted Golden Bear for best film. Scroll down for the full list of winners, which were revealed Saturday evening at the Berlinale Palast.
The doc borrows its name from the former West African kingdom of Dahomey, located in the south of today’s Republic of Benin. It was founded in the 17th century by King Houegbadja. Under his reign and that of his descendants — a three-century dynasty — the kingdom was a considerable regional power, with a highly structured local economy, a centralized administration, a system of taxes, and a powerful army, including the famous Amazon women (Agodjié).
Diop’s doc opens in November 2021 as twenty-six royal treasures from the former Kingdom are about to leave Paris to return to their country of origin. Along with thousands of others, these artifacts were...
The doc borrows its name from the former West African kingdom of Dahomey, located in the south of today’s Republic of Benin. It was founded in the 17th century by King Houegbadja. Under his reign and that of his descendants — a three-century dynasty — the kingdom was a considerable regional power, with a highly structured local economy, a centralized administration, a system of taxes, and a powerful army, including the famous Amazon women (Agodjié).
Diop’s doc opens in November 2021 as twenty-six royal treasures from the former Kingdom are about to leave Paris to return to their country of origin. Along with thousands of others, these artifacts were...
- 2/24/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
After two weeks of new cinema, the Berlin Film Festival comes to a close this Sunday, February 25, with its annual awards ceremony. This year’s event marks one of change, as festival artistic director Carlo Chatrian, at his post since 2018, steps down to make way for Tricia Tuttle, who will take over for next year’s outing.
This year’s Berlinale has already stirred plenty of buzz for films like Alonso Ruizpalacios’s “La Cocina,” a drama set in a New York City kitchen and starring Rooney Mara, and Tim Mielants’ opener “Small Things Like These,” starring likely Oscar winner Cillian Murphy. Both films are eligible for awards, along with “Timbuktu” director Abderrahmane Sissako’s “Black Tea,” “Goodnight Mommy” filmmakers Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s “The Devil’s Bath,” “The Guilty” director Gustav Möller’s “Sons,” Olivier Assayas’ “Suspended Time,” plus Aaron Schimberg’s Sundance hit “A Different Man,” and many more.
This year’s Berlinale has already stirred plenty of buzz for films like Alonso Ruizpalacios’s “La Cocina,” a drama set in a New York City kitchen and starring Rooney Mara, and Tim Mielants’ opener “Small Things Like These,” starring likely Oscar winner Cillian Murphy. Both films are eligible for awards, along with “Timbuktu” director Abderrahmane Sissako’s “Black Tea,” “Goodnight Mommy” filmmakers Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s “The Devil’s Bath,” “The Guilty” director Gustav Möller’s “Sons,” Olivier Assayas’ “Suspended Time,” plus Aaron Schimberg’s Sundance hit “A Different Man,” and many more.
- 2/24/2024
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Dahomey, a documentary from French-Senegalese filmmaker Mati Diop, has won the Golden Bear for best film at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival.
The multifaceted docu-fictional essay explores the return, in November 2021, of plundered royal treasures of the African Kingdom of Dahomey from Paris to the present-day Republic of Benin, examining the complicated response of those in Benin, whose culture has developed for more than a century without these artifacts.
While taking the stage to accept her award, Diop made a direct political statement, calling out, “I stand with Palestine!”
Jury president, the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave and Black Panther actor Lupita Nyong’o, announced the Golden Bear winner from the stage of the Berlinale Palast Saturday night. Nyong’o is the first Black and first African to chair the Berlinale jury.
Dahomey is only the second African film to win the top prize at Berlin, following Mark Dornford-May’s...
The multifaceted docu-fictional essay explores the return, in November 2021, of plundered royal treasures of the African Kingdom of Dahomey from Paris to the present-day Republic of Benin, examining the complicated response of those in Benin, whose culture has developed for more than a century without these artifacts.
While taking the stage to accept her award, Diop made a direct political statement, calling out, “I stand with Palestine!”
Jury president, the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave and Black Panther actor Lupita Nyong’o, announced the Golden Bear winner from the stage of the Berlinale Palast Saturday night. Nyong’o is the first Black and first African to chair the Berlinale jury.
Dahomey is only the second African film to win the top prize at Berlin, following Mark Dornford-May’s...
- 2/24/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Martin Scorsese was at the Berlinale this week for the first time in a decade. His presence to collect an honorary Golden Bear was a reminder of the festival’s glories of yesteryear.
In decades past, Scorsese touched down in Berlin with major works such as Raging Bull (1981), Cape Fear (1992); Gangs of New York (2003 ), Shine a Light (2008) and Shutter Island (2010). It feels a long time since the event — traditionally one of the world’s great cinema showcases — has attracted such movies. In recent years the studio splashes have dried up.
So have memorable movies from A-list arthouse filmmakers. Scorsese this week sang the praises of the event for the encouragement it had given him as an emerging filmmaker. Citing Brian de Palma’s Silver Bear win for his second film Greetings in 1969, Scorsese said the prize had marked a turning point for unknown, independent American directors such as himself, de Palma,...
In decades past, Scorsese touched down in Berlin with major works such as Raging Bull (1981), Cape Fear (1992); Gangs of New York (2003 ), Shine a Light (2008) and Shutter Island (2010). It feels a long time since the event — traditionally one of the world’s great cinema showcases — has attracted such movies. In recent years the studio splashes have dried up.
So have memorable movies from A-list arthouse filmmakers. Scorsese this week sang the praises of the event for the encouragement it had given him as an emerging filmmaker. Citing Brian de Palma’s Silver Bear win for his second film Greetings in 1969, Scorsese said the prize had marked a turning point for unknown, independent American directors such as himself, de Palma,...
- 2/23/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The 74th Berlin International Film Festival announced the winners of the fest at the awards ceremony held at the Berlinale Palast on February 24.
20 films competed for the awards in this year’s competition with Lupita Nyong’o heading the International Jury alongside Ann Hui, Christian Petzold, Albert Serra, Jasmine Trinca and Oksana Zabuzhko. The Encounters Jury, Lisandro Alonso, Denis Côté and Tizza Covi choose the winners for Best Film, Best Director and the Special Jury Award.
The Golden Bear for Best Film was awarded to Dahomey by Mati Diop. Emily Watson won The Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance for her role in Small Things Like These, while Sebastian Stan received The Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance in A Different Man. Nelson Carlo De Los Santos Arias was honored with The Silver Bear for Best Director for his film Pepe, and the Silver Bear Jury Prize went to Bruno Dumont for Empire.
20 films competed for the awards in this year’s competition with Lupita Nyong’o heading the International Jury alongside Ann Hui, Christian Petzold, Albert Serra, Jasmine Trinca and Oksana Zabuzhko. The Encounters Jury, Lisandro Alonso, Denis Côté and Tizza Covi choose the winners for Best Film, Best Director and the Special Jury Award.
The Golden Bear for Best Film was awarded to Dahomey by Mati Diop. Emily Watson won The Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance for her role in Small Things Like These, while Sebastian Stan received The Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance in A Different Man. Nelson Carlo De Los Santos Arias was honored with The Silver Bear for Best Director for his film Pepe, and the Silver Bear Jury Prize went to Bruno Dumont for Empire.
- 2/22/2024
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
The European Film Market (EFM) has crossed the 12,000-visitor attendance barrier for the first time, setting a new record for the event.
Over 12,000 visitors from 143 countries attended the 2024 market, up from around 11,500 at the 2023 edition; and ahead of the pre-pandemic record of 11,423. Final figures will be confirmed in the coming days.
The number of exhibiting companies was also up slightly, to 614 from last year’s 612 – staying well ahead of the pre-pandemic mark of 564. The 614 figure includes those exhibiting at both the Gropius Bau and Marriott Hotel sites.
The number of buyers was down slightly, from last year’s record of...
Over 12,000 visitors from 143 countries attended the 2024 market, up from around 11,500 at the 2023 edition; and ahead of the pre-pandemic record of 11,423. Final figures will be confirmed in the coming days.
The number of exhibiting companies was also up slightly, to 614 from last year’s 612 – staying well ahead of the pre-pandemic mark of 564. The 614 figure includes those exhibiting at both the Gropius Bau and Marriott Hotel sites.
The number of buyers was down slightly, from last year’s record of...
- 2/22/2024
- ScreenDaily
Ace filmmaker Martin Scorsese is regarded as one of the major filmmakers of the New Hollywood era putting out some exceptional movies out there for the audience. Scorsese’s style of direction includes extensive use of slow motion and freeze frames, graphic depictions of extreme violence and more, which has mostly managed to impress the critics and the audience over the years.
The audience has always appreciated Martin Scorsese’s successful collaborations with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. Their recent movie, Killers of the Flower Moon, has garnered attention for its direction, screenplay, musical score, and performances of the actors. Martin Scorsese recently shared his views on modern-day cinema.
Suggested“I hope Leonardo DiCaprio never sees this”: America Ferrera Doesn’t Want Leo to Know One Secret About Their First Meeting Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro | Killers of the Flower Moon Martin Scorsese...
The audience has always appreciated Martin Scorsese’s successful collaborations with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. Their recent movie, Killers of the Flower Moon, has garnered attention for its direction, screenplay, musical score, and performances of the actors. Martin Scorsese recently shared his views on modern-day cinema.
Suggested“I hope Leonardo DiCaprio never sees this”: America Ferrera Doesn’t Want Leo to Know One Secret About Their First Meeting Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro | Killers of the Flower Moon Martin Scorsese...
- 2/21/2024
- by Avneet Ahluwalia
- FandomWire
Martin Scorsese was greeted by loud cheers as he alighted from his car at the Berlinale Palast on Tuesday night, and set about signing autographs for the crowd gathered on this cold Berlin night.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker is the recipient of an honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement at the 74th Berlinale.
“Marty!! Marty!!” the crowd chanted, as Scorsese posed for photographers before fielding press questions and greeting festival brass, protected from the sharp weather only by his dapper black suit.
Once inside the auditorium, the 81-year-old finally sat down some 25 minutes after arriving, following a long-standing ovation.
Live music from the soundtrack of Killers of the Flowers Moon was accompanied by clips playing on the screen. The fest’s exec director, Marietta Rissenbeek, and artistic director, Carlo Chatrian, offered a few words in recognition of the great director, making Scorsese laugh and seem to all but cry with his daughter Francesca by his side.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker is the recipient of an honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement at the 74th Berlinale.
“Marty!! Marty!!” the crowd chanted, as Scorsese posed for photographers before fielding press questions and greeting festival brass, protected from the sharp weather only by his dapper black suit.
Once inside the auditorium, the 81-year-old finally sat down some 25 minutes after arriving, following a long-standing ovation.
Live music from the soundtrack of Killers of the Flowers Moon was accompanied by clips playing on the screen. The fest’s exec director, Marietta Rissenbeek, and artistic director, Carlo Chatrian, offered a few words in recognition of the great director, making Scorsese laugh and seem to all but cry with his daughter Francesca by his side.
- 2/20/2024
- by Liza Foreman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Two things can be true at once. The old debate over whether Hong Sangsoo’s cinema is overly earnest or self-aware was always a bit reductive––when the most light-hearted of the director’s films transcend, it is usually a result of both. Regardless, those arguments fade further into the rearview mirror with A Traveler’s Needs, his first collaboration with Isabelle Huppert since Claire’s Camera (2017) and Hong’s funniest film in years. In one gloriously stilted scene at around the halfway point, a lawyer played by Hong regular Kwon Hae-hyo attempts to flirt with Huppert’s character, Iris, who responds with a kind of unhinged wink-and-giggle movement––she then, insanely, repeats the trick. Wise to the cringing discomfort of the moment, Hong quickly cuts to a zoom reminiscent of the fan-favorite in The Woman Who Ran. Don’t say he isn’t in on the joke.
A Traveler’s Need...
A Traveler’s Need...
- 2/20/2024
- by Rory O'Connor
- The Film Stage
Exclusive: Martin Scorsese is returning to the Berlin Film Festival tomorrow for the first time in a decade. The cinema legend, currently on the awards circuit with latest epic Killers Of The Flower Moon, will be feted with the Berlinale’s highest honor, its lifetime achievement Golden Bear.
Ahead of the ceremony, the indefatigable Scorsese (81) found time to speak to us. In answer to ‘Deadline’s Five Burning Questions’, the filmmaker discussed a new project he has playing at the festival, some of the career collaborations he is most proud of, the importance of film festivals, his expectations for the future of cinema, and what might be next for him.
Scorsese has been to the Berlinale a number of times before, including with Raging Bull, Gangs of New York and Shutter Island, all of which screened out of competition, and with Berlinale competition entry Cape Fear in 1992. His Rolling Stones...
Ahead of the ceremony, the indefatigable Scorsese (81) found time to speak to us. In answer to ‘Deadline’s Five Burning Questions’, the filmmaker discussed a new project he has playing at the festival, some of the career collaborations he is most proud of, the importance of film festivals, his expectations for the future of cinema, and what might be next for him.
Scorsese has been to the Berlinale a number of times before, including with Raging Bull, Gangs of New York and Shutter Island, all of which screened out of competition, and with Berlinale competition entry Cape Fear in 1992. His Rolling Stones...
- 2/19/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
A youthful crowd of industry professionals filed into a bustling room at the Gropius Bau Saturday afternoon for the inaugural AfroBerlin symposium here at the Berlin Film Festival.
Among the speakers were outgoing Berlinale co-head Mariette Rissenbeek, Neom’s Wayne Borg, and Yolonda Ncokotwana, Head of Industry Development National Film & Video Foundation South Africa. The event also saw the first public discussion featuring the Schwarze Filmschaffende, the Black German Filmmakers Association.
The association first made waves following the conclusion of last year’s Berlinale after they published a lengthy open letter that criticized the festival for programming three films that it said “depict, amplify, or peddle anti-Black sentiments.” The group was also central to this year’s campaign against the festival’s controversial opening ceremony invitations to members of the far-right AfD political party. Despite its recent visibility, the group actually dates back to 2015.
“I started acting school in Vienna in a very white space.
Among the speakers were outgoing Berlinale co-head Mariette Rissenbeek, Neom’s Wayne Borg, and Yolonda Ncokotwana, Head of Industry Development National Film & Video Foundation South Africa. The event also saw the first public discussion featuring the Schwarze Filmschaffende, the Black German Filmmakers Association.
The association first made waves following the conclusion of last year’s Berlinale after they published a lengthy open letter that criticized the festival for programming three films that it said “depict, amplify, or peddle anti-Black sentiments.” The group was also central to this year’s campaign against the festival’s controversial opening ceremony invitations to members of the far-right AfD political party. Despite its recent visibility, the group actually dates back to 2015.
“I started acting school in Vienna in a very white space.
- 2/18/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Filmmaker Andreas Dresen and actress Liv Lisa Fries took part morning in the press conference for new drama From Hilde, With Love, which debuts this weekend in Competition at the Berlin Film Festival.
Dresen’s affecting and resonant film, set in Berlin during the Second World War, charts the little known story of Hilde and Hans Coppi, a young couple who courageously become members of an anti-Nazi group known as The Red Orchestra (Die Rote Kapelle). The two spend a summer together until they get caught by the Gestapo and Hilde is imprisoned, eight months pregnant.
Dresen’s film received a warm response from journalists this morning at the press conference, with many noting they had been moved to tears by the feature.
The German director told the media he was initially attracted by the “humanity” of the story and the character of Hilde Coppi, who he described as “such a decent and brave woman.
Dresen’s affecting and resonant film, set in Berlin during the Second World War, charts the little known story of Hilde and Hans Coppi, a young couple who courageously become members of an anti-Nazi group known as The Red Orchestra (Die Rote Kapelle). The two spend a summer together until they get caught by the Gestapo and Hilde is imprisoned, eight months pregnant.
Dresen’s film received a warm response from journalists this morning at the press conference, with many noting they had been moved to tears by the feature.
The German director told the media he was initially attracted by the “humanity” of the story and the character of Hilde Coppi, who he described as “such a decent and brave woman.
- 2/17/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
As the Israel-Hamas war continues to rage in Gaza, repercussions are being felt at the Berlinale, which looks to be one of the most politically charged editions in recent history.
Several filmmakers have already canceled their participation to the festival in protest of Germany’s attitude towards Palestinian voices, while more than 50 Berlinale workers have signed an open letter this week demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and asking that the festival leadership take a “stronger institutional stance” on what the statement calls “the current assault on Palestinian life” and calling on the festival to take a stance that is “consistent with those taken in response to other events that have struck the international community in recent years.”
The war in Gaza followed Hamas’ attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken. As the death toll continues to rise, with nearly 30,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza...
Several filmmakers have already canceled their participation to the festival in protest of Germany’s attitude towards Palestinian voices, while more than 50 Berlinale workers have signed an open letter this week demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and asking that the festival leadership take a “stronger institutional stance” on what the statement calls “the current assault on Palestinian life” and calling on the festival to take a stance that is “consistent with those taken in response to other events that have struck the international community in recent years.”
The war in Gaza followed Hamas’ attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken. As the death toll continues to rise, with nearly 30,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza...
- 2/16/2024
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Festival season 2024 is well underway, Insiders, as our team decamps to Berlin. That and plenty more news to report from around the world to follow. Jesse Whittock with you. Sign up for the Insider newsletter here.
Berlin Kicks Off
Protests on the red carpet: The build-up to the 74th Berlin Film Festival has been highly politicized and Thursday evening’s opening ceremony was no different. The ceremony began with a red carpet awash with political statements. The festival held what it described as a ‘Filmmakers for Democracy, Diversity, and Peaceful Togetherness’ demonstration featuring between 50 and 60 filmmakers. Meanwhile, a series of attendees used their time in front of media pens to display their own political messages. The most eye-catching included American filmmaker Eliza Hittman, last at Berlin with her Silver Bear-winning Never Rarely Sometimes Always, who had ‘ceasefire now’ stitched to the back of her dress. The message was a reference...
Berlin Kicks Off
Protests on the red carpet: The build-up to the 74th Berlin Film Festival has been highly politicized and Thursday evening’s opening ceremony was no different. The ceremony began with a red carpet awash with political statements. The festival held what it described as a ‘Filmmakers for Democracy, Diversity, and Peaceful Togetherness’ demonstration featuring between 50 and 60 filmmakers. Meanwhile, a series of attendees used their time in front of media pens to display their own political messages. The most eye-catching included American filmmaker Eliza Hittman, last at Berlin with her Silver Bear-winning Never Rarely Sometimes Always, who had ‘ceasefire now’ stitched to the back of her dress. The message was a reference...
- 2/16/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
After a week of protests, petitions, and even a call to boycott the Berlin International Film Festival, organizers had to be fearing the worst when the 74th Berlinale kicked off Thursday night.
But the only demonstration on the red carpet was a peaceful one. Several filmmakers gathered together next to Berlinale Directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian and, holding up their cell phones, with LEDs shining, called for “democracy, diversity and peaceful togetherness.”
It was worlds away from the PR disaster that could have been expected just a week ago when the news came out that the Berlinale had invited elected members of the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) to its opening ceremony. The invitations were standard protocol and AfD members had been invited to the festival for years. But this year was different. For weeks, hundreds of thousands of Germans have been marching in anti-AfD demonstrations across the country,...
But the only demonstration on the red carpet was a peaceful one. Several filmmakers gathered together next to Berlinale Directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian and, holding up their cell phones, with LEDs shining, called for “democracy, diversity and peaceful togetherness.”
It was worlds away from the PR disaster that could have been expected just a week ago when the news came out that the Berlinale had invited elected members of the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) to its opening ceremony. The invitations were standard protocol and AfD members had been invited to the festival for years. But this year was different. For weeks, hundreds of thousands of Germans have been marching in anti-AfD demonstrations across the country,...
- 2/15/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Berlin Film Festival officially kicked off Thursday evening with an eventful opening ceremony at the Berlinale Palast theater in the German capital.
After a divisive build-up to the fest, the opening ceremony was, in contrast, a relatively conventional affair. High-profile attendees included veteran German filmmakers Wim Wenders and Fatih Akin, Phantom Thread actress Vicky Krieps, and international jury president Lupita Nyong’o alongside her fellow jury members Brady Corbet, Ann Hui, Christian Petzold, Albert Serra, Jasmine Trinca and Oksana Zabuzhko.
The evening’s opening film was Small Things Like These, starring Cillian Murphy, who was in attendance with producer Matt Damon and co-star Emily Watson. Directed by Tim Mielants (Peaky Blinders), Small Things Like These is the first Irish film to open the Berlinale.
Related: ‘Small Things Like These’ Review: Cillian Murphy Plays A Father In Torment In ’80s-Set Irish Trauma Tale
Before the pic opened, the crowd inside the...
After a divisive build-up to the fest, the opening ceremony was, in contrast, a relatively conventional affair. High-profile attendees included veteran German filmmakers Wim Wenders and Fatih Akin, Phantom Thread actress Vicky Krieps, and international jury president Lupita Nyong’o alongside her fellow jury members Brady Corbet, Ann Hui, Christian Petzold, Albert Serra, Jasmine Trinca and Oksana Zabuzhko.
The evening’s opening film was Small Things Like These, starring Cillian Murphy, who was in attendance with producer Matt Damon and co-star Emily Watson. Directed by Tim Mielants (Peaky Blinders), Small Things Like These is the first Irish film to open the Berlinale.
Related: ‘Small Things Like These’ Review: Cillian Murphy Plays A Father In Torment In ’80s-Set Irish Trauma Tale
Before the pic opened, the crowd inside the...
- 2/15/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
The build-up to the 74th Berlin Film Festival has been highly politicized, and the international jury press conference Thursday morning was no different.
Lupita Nyong’o presides over the International Competition jury, whose members include American actor and filmmaker Brady Corbet, Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui, German director Christian Petzold, Spanish filmmaker Albert Serra, Italian actress Jasmine Trinca and Ukrainian novelist and poet Oksana Zabuzhko.
This wasn’t like most jury press conferences, however, with members drawn into multiple — occasionally testy — discussions about their own political stances on events in Ukraine, Gaza and Germany.
Russia’s war in Ukraine was a central topic, with multiple journalists asking Serra about a 2018 interview in which he supposedly expressed admiration for Vladimir Putin. Serra was asked whether he had changed his mind on Putin since the war:
“I don’t know,” said the director. “This is a political question. Everyone is upset with Russia right now.
Lupita Nyong’o presides over the International Competition jury, whose members include American actor and filmmaker Brady Corbet, Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui, German director Christian Petzold, Spanish filmmaker Albert Serra, Italian actress Jasmine Trinca and Ukrainian novelist and poet Oksana Zabuzhko.
This wasn’t like most jury press conferences, however, with members drawn into multiple — occasionally testy — discussions about their own political stances on events in Ukraine, Gaza and Germany.
Russia’s war in Ukraine was a central topic, with multiple journalists asking Serra about a 2018 interview in which he supposedly expressed admiration for Vladimir Putin. Serra was asked whether he had changed his mind on Putin since the war:
“I don’t know,” said the director. “This is a political question. Everyone is upset with Russia right now.
- 2/15/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman and Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
A week ago, the Berlin Film Festival was bracing for the worst.
Alongside possible pro-Palestinian protests of the sort that took place at Sundance last month, it looked like a much larger demonstration, by German film industry and local activists, might completely shut down the red carpet. There was growing anger over the Berlinale’s decision to invite members of Germany’s far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) to tonight’s opening gala. More than 200 film professionals, most of them from within the German industry, issued an open letter calling the decision “incompatible” with the festival’s official commitment to being a place of “empathy, awareness, and understanding.”
The Berlinale, which is state-funded, regularly invites 100 members of the Berlin state parliament to attend opening night. The parliament picks the guests, making sure to include members from all elected parties. Since 2017, that’s included the AfD.
“They always get invited, and...
Alongside possible pro-Palestinian protests of the sort that took place at Sundance last month, it looked like a much larger demonstration, by German film industry and local activists, might completely shut down the red carpet. There was growing anger over the Berlinale’s decision to invite members of Germany’s far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) to tonight’s opening gala. More than 200 film professionals, most of them from within the German industry, issued an open letter calling the decision “incompatible” with the festival’s official commitment to being a place of “empathy, awareness, and understanding.”
The Berlinale, which is state-funded, regularly invites 100 members of the Berlin state parliament to attend opening night. The parliament picks the guests, making sure to include members from all elected parties. Since 2017, that’s included the AfD.
“They always get invited, and...
- 2/15/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Best Friend Forever has picked up international rights to Milano, the debut feature from Belgian director Christina Vandekerckhove, and is kicking off sales at the EFM.
The film is about a 12 year-old boy who is able to hear, yet only expresses himself in sign language. As his single father tries to make ends meet he often leaves his son alone with his neighbour. But everything changes when his mother suddenly returns.
Now in post-production, Milano is produced by Jan De Clercq and Annemie Degryse ‘s Lumiere which will also release the film in Benelux. The film stars Flemish star Matteo Simoni,...
The film is about a 12 year-old boy who is able to hear, yet only expresses himself in sign language. As his single father tries to make ends meet he often leaves his son alone with his neighbour. But everything changes when his mother suddenly returns.
Now in post-production, Milano is produced by Jan De Clercq and Annemie Degryse ‘s Lumiere which will also release the film in Benelux. The film stars Flemish star Matteo Simoni,...
- 2/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
It’s the end of an era for the Berlin International Film Festival, as Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian and his co-head Mariette Rissenbeek — a pair of fearless cineastes and programmers who came onboard together in the summer of 2019, and helped steer the world’s largest film festival through the crisis of the pandemic years — are being unceremoniously shoved out to sea after the 2024 edition as a part of cost-cutting measures instituted by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Claudia Roth.
It’s too soon to say how the Berlinale will shrink and suffer in the absence of the leadership that has allowed the festival to remain such a vital arena for world cinema at a time of industry-wide constriction, but even a quick overview of this year’s program suggests that Chatrian and Rissenbeek will be going out with a bang.
As usual, the Berlinale will play...
It’s too soon to say how the Berlinale will shrink and suffer in the absence of the leadership that has allowed the festival to remain such a vital arena for world cinema at a time of industry-wide constriction, but even a quick overview of this year’s program suggests that Chatrian and Rissenbeek will be going out with a bang.
As usual, the Berlinale will play...
- 2/14/2024
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Exclusive: The Berlin Film Festival gets underway Thursday but organizers and staff will be doing so bruised after an uncomfortable buildup to the event.
The festival sparked controversy 10 days ago after we revealed it had invited members of the far-right AfD (Alternative For Germany) party to the opening ceremony. The AfD, which is polling second in the country, is the source of much soul-searching in Germany due to its hardline agenda, which has been characterized as anti-Islam, anti-immigration, German nationalist and Eurosceptic.
By the end of the week, organizers had rowed back on the lightning-rod decision, but not before inflicting some hefty PR self-harm and opening internal divisions among staff.
On Tuesday, further fault lines were exposed when 28 festival workers published an open letter criticizing the festival for not going far enough in its condemnation of hostilities in Gaza and for not providing sufficient opportunities for debate on the subject at this year’s festival.
The festival sparked controversy 10 days ago after we revealed it had invited members of the far-right AfD (Alternative For Germany) party to the opening ceremony. The AfD, which is polling second in the country, is the source of much soul-searching in Germany due to its hardline agenda, which has been characterized as anti-Islam, anti-immigration, German nationalist and Eurosceptic.
By the end of the week, organizers had rowed back on the lightning-rod decision, but not before inflicting some hefty PR self-harm and opening internal divisions among staff.
On Tuesday, further fault lines were exposed when 28 festival workers published an open letter criticizing the festival for not going far enough in its condemnation of hostilities in Gaza and for not providing sufficient opportunities for debate on the subject at this year’s festival.
- 2/14/2024
- by Zac Ntim and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
A group of contractors working at this year’s Berlinale have criticised the festival’s lack of response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and called for “an immediate ceasefire”.
The open letter was published on Instagram last night (February 12) by an account called ‘Berlinale Workers Voice’ in response to a statement by festival co-heads Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian about the conflict.
The original festival statement said: “Our sympathy goes out to all the victims of the humanitarian crises in the Middle East and elsewhere… We want everyone’s suffering to be recognised and for our programme to be...
The open letter was published on Instagram last night (February 12) by an account called ‘Berlinale Workers Voice’ in response to a statement by festival co-heads Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian about the conflict.
The original festival statement said: “Our sympathy goes out to all the victims of the humanitarian crises in the Middle East and elsewhere… We want everyone’s suffering to be recognised and for our programme to be...
- 2/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
A group of Berlin Film Festival workers and contractors have published an open letter calling out the Berlinale for its official stance on the war in Gaza.
The letter, signed by around 30 workers, including programmers and moderators for the festival’s sidebar sections Panorama, Forum and Generation, as well as the European Film Market, Berlinale Talents and Berlinale Goes Kiez, said they “want to hold the festival and ourselves to a higher standard.” They are calling for the Berlinale to take a clearer stance against the war in Gaza.
“We join a global solidarity movement to demand an immediate ceasefire and call for the release of all hostages,” it reads.
The letter, published online two days before the start of the 74th Berlinale on Thursday, Feb. 15, called on the Berlinale to go further than its official statement, on Jan.19, in which co-directors Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian said their sympathy...
The letter, signed by around 30 workers, including programmers and moderators for the festival’s sidebar sections Panorama, Forum and Generation, as well as the European Film Market, Berlinale Talents and Berlinale Goes Kiez, said they “want to hold the festival and ourselves to a higher standard.” They are calling for the Berlinale to take a clearer stance against the war in Gaza.
“We join a global solidarity movement to demand an immediate ceasefire and call for the release of all hostages,” it reads.
The letter, published online two days before the start of the 74th Berlinale on Thursday, Feb. 15, called on the Berlinale to go further than its official statement, on Jan.19, in which co-directors Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian said their sympathy...
- 2/13/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A group of Berlinale workers have published an open letter to the festival, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and asking that leadership take a “stronger institutional stance” on what the statement calls “the current assault on Palestinian life.”
The letter, which was published on Instagram Monday night with a link to a Google Form for others to sign, was in response to the Berlinale’s Jan. 19 statement on the Israel-Hamas war. “Our sympathy goes out to all the victims of the humanitarian crises in the Middle East and elsewhere,” co-heads Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian said, adding that “we take a firm stand against all forms of discrimination and are committed to intercultural understanding.”
The letter begins, “We are painfully aware of the unbearable dynamics of institutional inertia in the cultural sector in Germany, and we recognize the current limits imposed on speech. We want to hold the festival and ourselves to a higher standard.
The letter, which was published on Instagram Monday night with a link to a Google Form for others to sign, was in response to the Berlinale’s Jan. 19 statement on the Israel-Hamas war. “Our sympathy goes out to all the victims of the humanitarian crises in the Middle East and elsewhere,” co-heads Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian said, adding that “we take a firm stand against all forms of discrimination and are committed to intercultural understanding.”
The letter begins, “We are painfully aware of the unbearable dynamics of institutional inertia in the cultural sector in Germany, and we recognize the current limits imposed on speech. We want to hold the festival and ourselves to a higher standard.
- 2/13/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
A group of Berlin Film Festival workers have released a statement calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, the “release of all hostages,” and “stronger institutional leadership,” including from the Berlinale, in response to what they describe as the “current assault on Palestinian life.”
The open letter, published last night on social media and shared with industry as a google doc, comes just two days before the Berlinale gets underway. It is currently signed by 28 contractors, including programmers for Panorama, Generation, EFM, Forum, Berlinale Talents and Berlinale Goes Kiez. In particular, the group takes issue with a previous festival statement on the crisis.
“As Berlinale contractors, who admire the festival’s vocal, principled track record defending humanitarian values, we feel the need to offer a position that builds on the festival’s statement concerning the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza (19 January 2024),” the statement begins.
“We are painfully aware of the...
The open letter, published last night on social media and shared with industry as a google doc, comes just two days before the Berlinale gets underway. It is currently signed by 28 contractors, including programmers for Panorama, Generation, EFM, Forum, Berlinale Talents and Berlinale Goes Kiez. In particular, the group takes issue with a previous festival statement on the crisis.
“As Berlinale contractors, who admire the festival’s vocal, principled track record defending humanitarian values, we feel the need to offer a position that builds on the festival’s statement concerning the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza (19 January 2024),” the statement begins.
“We are painfully aware of the...
- 2/13/2024
- by Zac Ntim and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Arclight Films has announced that Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley star in Renny Harlin’s survival thriller Deep Water, which is in post. Arclight continues worldwide sales at EFM this week.
The first feature greenlit by the stand-alone label Simmons/Hamilton Productions wrapped at the end of last year in New Zealand and Spain.
The lead cast includes Molly Wright (Lionsgate’s upcoming The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Angus Sampson (FX’s Fargo), Kelly Gale (Lionsgate’s Plane), Li Wenhan from Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Chinese actress Nashi (Creation Of The Gods I: Kingdom Of Storms).
Harlin, whose credits include Die Hard 2,...
The first feature greenlit by the stand-alone label Simmons/Hamilton Productions wrapped at the end of last year in New Zealand and Spain.
The lead cast includes Molly Wright (Lionsgate’s upcoming The Best Christmas Pageant Ever), Angus Sampson (FX’s Fargo), Kelly Gale (Lionsgate’s Plane), Li Wenhan from Chinese-Korean K-Pop group Uniq, and Chinese actress Nashi (Creation Of The Gods I: Kingdom Of Storms).
Harlin, whose credits include Die Hard 2,...
- 2/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
Screen’s February 2024 edition looks ahead to the upcoming Berlin film festival, with a guide into the line-up, a preview of the European Film Market, and an in-depth interview with the festival’s outgoing co-heads, Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek.
The issue also looks at how Searchlight Pictures’ UK team helped bring the likes of Rye Lane and All Of Us Strangers to fruition.
Click here to read the digital edition
Read Screen’s other digital editions...
The issue also looks at how Searchlight Pictures’ UK team helped bring the likes of Rye Lane and All Of Us Strangers to fruition.
Click here to read the digital edition
Read Screen’s other digital editions...
- 2/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
Dennis Ruh, the director of the European Film Market (EFM), is predicting a ‘very busy’ event as the film industry gears up for its first major post-strike market.
Ruh anticipates plenty of commercial English-language projects being presented at EFM, which runs from February 15-21, and that there will be a big contingent coming from the US.
“EFM is the first big market after the [writers and actors’] strikes, which means that many companies are coming with new projects that were held back,” said Ruh.
Ruh’s comments come amid a flurry of pre-efm package announcements from companies including A24, which is handling Celine Song...
Ruh anticipates plenty of commercial English-language projects being presented at EFM, which runs from February 15-21, and that there will be a big contingent coming from the US.
“EFM is the first big market after the [writers and actors’] strikes, which means that many companies are coming with new projects that were held back,” said Ruh.
Ruh’s comments come amid a flurry of pre-efm package announcements from companies including A24, which is handling Celine Song...
- 2/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
Good afternoon, it’s been a huge week in international TV and Max Goldbart is here to guide you through. Read on.
Berlinale Controversy
Dramatic yet unsurprising: Andreas and Zac have penned a string of exclusives over the past few days that concluded with the Berlin Film Festival’s high-profile u-turn Thursday afternoon, disinviting members of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to the opening ceremony after initially sending invitations to five politicians from the party. The move felt simultaneously dramatic yet unsurprising. The industry outcry over the AfD’s presence at the Berlinale opening ceremony had been extensive, and anger was also growing among Berlinale staff. “Over the past few days, there has been an intense discussion in the cultural sector, in the press, and on social media as well as within the Berlinale team about the invitations of AfD politicians, a right-wing extremist party, to the opening of the Berlinale,...
Berlinale Controversy
Dramatic yet unsurprising: Andreas and Zac have penned a string of exclusives over the past few days that concluded with the Berlin Film Festival’s high-profile u-turn Thursday afternoon, disinviting members of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to the opening ceremony after initially sending invitations to five politicians from the party. The move felt simultaneously dramatic yet unsurprising. The industry outcry over the AfD’s presence at the Berlinale opening ceremony had been extensive, and anger was also growing among Berlinale staff. “Over the past few days, there has been an intense discussion in the cultural sector, in the press, and on social media as well as within the Berlinale team about the invitations of AfD politicians, a right-wing extremist party, to the opening of the Berlinale,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
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