Actor Daniel Bruhl’s directorial debut and new titles from Radu Jude, Celine Sciamma, Hong Sangsoo and Xavier Beauvois are among the 15 competition titles in the Berlin Film Festival, all of which were revealed Thursday.
Five of the titles are from female filmmakers (some of whom are co-directors on titles), on par with last year’s competition, when six of the 18 competition titles were helmed by women.
The festival also revealed the 11 titles in the Berlinale Special strand.
Festival executive director Mariette Rissenbeek introduced the format of this year’s festival, after which artistic director Carlo Chatrian presented the films selected.
As first revealed by Variety, the festival’s 71st edition will take place in two stages. Industry platforms European Film Market, Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and the World Cinema Fund will be online March 1-5. Meanwhile, June 9-20 will see a physical summer public event, pandemic permitting.
Explaining the rationale, Rissenbeek said during her introduction: “We knew that, after many months of the pandemic and the closure of the cinemas, a vast number of filmmakers and dedicated people in the industry were urgently looking for a platform where they could continue their work.”
“With our digital edition for the film industry and the press in March, we want to offer a little taste of the celebrations in June when we can all meet again in the cinema – in compliance with the hygiene and social distancing rules that will apply at that time – to exchange ideas and enjoy the films on the big screen,” Rissenbeek added.
In recent days, the festival has revealed its Generation lineup, shorts selections, and the Encounter, Panorama and Perspektive Deutsches Kino choices.
Competition Titles
“Albatros” (Drift Away)
France
by Xavier Beauvois
with Jérémie Renier, Marie-Julie Maille, Victor Belmondo
Set in northern France, the film, which explores philosophical and existential questions, follows a police officer on a journey of self-discovery.
“Babardeală cu buclucsau porno balamuc” (Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn)
Romania/Luxemburg/Croatia/Czech Republic
by Radu Jude
with Katia Pascariu, Claudia Ieremia, Olimpia Mălai
An irreverent, yet political film that takes a look at contemporary Romania seen through the filters of a revenge porn story.
“Fabian oder Der Gang vor die Hunde” (Fabian – Going to the Dogs)
Germany
by Dominik Graf
with Tom Schilling, Saskia Rosendahl, Albrecht Schuch
Based on the well-known novel “Fabian: The Story of a Moralist,” by Erich Kästner, the coming-of-age film is a moral journey through time and space set during the end of the Weimar Republic in the 1920s.
“Ghasideyeh gave sefid” (Ballad of a White Cow)
Iran/France
by Behtash Sanaeeha, Maryam Moghaddam
with Maryam Moghaddam, Alireza Sanifar
Exploring themes of guilt and atonement, the film follows a woman whose husband has been unjustly executed in contemporary Iran.
“Guzen to sozo” (Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy)
Japan
by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
with Kotone Furukawa, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Fusako Urabe
A bittersweet tribute to women where the writing flows organically with the characters.
“Herr Bachmann und seine Klasse” (Mr Bachmann and His Class)
Germany
by Maria Speth
with Dieter Bachmann and pupils of class 6b
Filmed and edited over the last decade, this documentary is a tribute to a great teacher and looks at the classroom as a microcosm of society.
“Ich bin dein Mensch” (I’m Your Man)
Germany
by Maria Schrader
with Maren Eggert, Dan Stevens, Sandra Hüller
This sci-fi film flips the traditional romantic comedy and features a Prince Charming who is not chosen by a woman, but designed to her taste.
“Inteurodeoksyeon” (Introduction)
Republic of Korea
by Hong Sangsoo
with Shin Seokho, Park Miso, Kim Minhee
Partly shot in Berlin, the film follows a young man who tries to find his way in the face of his parents’ wishes and impositions.
“Memory Box”
France/Lebanon/Canada/Qatar
by Joana Hadjithomas, Khalil Joreige
with Rim Turki, Manal Issa, Paloma Vauthier
Three generations of women who are relocated to Canada, deal with memories of their country of origin, Lebanon.
“Nebenan” (Next Door)
Germany
by Daniel Brühl
with Daniel Brühl, Peter Kurth
A tribute to the contradiction of Berlin in the 21st century, the film explores several characters, including a famous film actor and his neighbor, as their lives collide.
“Petite Maman”
France
by Céline Sciamma
with Joséphine Sanz, Gabrielle Sanz, Nina Meurisse
The director returns to her pet themes of kids and rites of passage, shot through with magic realism.
Ras vkhedavt, rodesac cas vukurebt? (What Do We See When We Look at the Sky?)
Germany/Georgia
by Alexandre Koberidze
with Ani Karseladze, Giorgi Bochorishvili, Vakhtang Fanchulidze
In Georgia, a young man and woman meet and are separated by destiny.
“Rengeteg – mindenhol látlak” (Forest – I See You Everywhere)
Hungary
by Bence Fliegauf
with Laura Podlovics, István Lénárt, Lilla Kizlinger, Zsolt Végh, László Cziffer, Juli Jakab, Ági Gubík
A sequel to Fliegauf’s 2003 Berlin title “Forest,” the Hungary-set film challenges physicality and shatters boundaries.
“Természetes fény” (Natural Light)
Hungary/Latvia/France/Germany
by Dénes Nagy
with Ferenc Szabó, Tamás Garbacz, László Bajkó
An officer from the Hungarian army is ordered to scout an area where Russian partisans fight against the occupation of the Third Reich.
“Una Película de Policías” (A Cop Movie)
Mexico
by Alonso Ruizpalacios
with Mónica Del Carmen, Raúl Briones
Set on the mean streets of Mexico city, fiction and documentary intertwine in this portrayal of the life of a police officer.
Berlinale Special Titles
“Best Sellers”
Canada/U.K.
by Lina Roessler
with Michael Caine, Aubrey Plaza
“Courage”
Germany
by Aliaksei Paluyan
with Maryna Yakubovich, Pavel Haradnizky, Denis Tarasenka
“French Exit”
Canada/Ireland
by Azazel Jacobs
with Michelle Pfeiffer, Lucas Hedges, Valerie Mahaffey, Imogen Poots
“Je suis Karl”
Germany/Czech Republic
by Christian Schwochow
with Luna Wedler, Jannis Niewöhner, Milan Peschel
“Language Lessons”
U.S.
by Natalie Morales
with Natalie Morales, Mark Duplass, Desean Terry
“Limbo”
Hong Kong/People’s Republic of China
by Cheang Soi
with Lam Ka Tung, Liu Cya, Lee Mason, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi
“The Mauritanian”
U.K.
by Kevin Macdonald
with Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Shailene Woodley, Benedict Cumberbatch
“Per Lucio” (For Lucio)
Italy
by Pietro Marcello
“Tides”
Germany/Switzerland
by Tim Fehlbaum
with Nora Arnezedar, Iain Glen, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina
“Tina”
U.S.
by Dan Lindsay, T. J. Martin
with Tina Turner, Angela Bassett, Oprah Winfrey, Katori Hall
“Wer wir waren” (Who We Were)
Germany
by Marc Bauder
with Alexander Gerst, Sylvia Erle, Dennis Snower, Matthieu Ricard