The Berlin International Film Festival has unveiled the lineup for the Official Competition of its 76th edition, scheduled to take place from February 12 to 22.
The festival will open with the romantic comedy “No Good Men” by Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat, a work that highlights the behind-the-scenes of a newsroom in Kabul during the democratic era prior to 2021.
Esteemed German director Wim Wenders will preside over the International Jury, succeeding Todd Haynes, to lead the evaluation of a diverse array of works reflecting themes of identity, politics, and music.
Official Competition
This year’s Official Competition includes the film “Pruning the Rose Bushes” by director Karim Aïnouz, starring Riley Keough, Callum Turner, and Elle Fanning, which deals with the disintegration of a wealthy American family living in isolation in a Spanish villa.
Director Channing Tatum also participates with his film “Josephine,” which delves into the psychological trauma of a child who witnessed a violent crime.
In the context of musical biographies, the film “Everybody Loves Bill Evans” by director Grant G. portrays the inner life of the pianist.
From Japan, the animated film “New Dawn” by director Yoshitoshi Shinomiya participates, while Turkish director Emin Alper presents the film “Kurtuluş,” which deals with land conflicts and divine visions in a remote village.
Tunisian director Leyla Bouzid participates with the film “In a Low Voice,” which explores family secrets between Tunis and Paris, while director Anthony Chen presents the film “We Are All Strangers” about redefining the concept of family in Singapore.
‘Perspectives’ Section
In the ‘Perspectives’ section, bold works stand out, such as the film “Chronicles from the Siege” by Palestinian director Abdullah Al-Khatib, which documents impossible survival choices in war zones, and the film “Where To?” by director Assaf Machnes, which brings together a Palestinian driver and a young Israeli man during Berlin’s long nights.
Special Screenings
The festival will also feature anticipated special screenings, including the vampire film “The Bloody Countess” starring Isabelle Huppert, and the satirical documentary “The Moment.”
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This edition embodies the festival’s new vision, where artistic depth blends with commercial appeal, and stories of personal salvation intertwine with collective tragedies; from films like “At Sea,” which discusses recovery from addiction, to “Prayer for the Dying,” which depicts the nightmare of pandemics in the aftermath of the American Civil War.
As the start date approaches, critics and audiences await the full program, which promises a distinctive cinematic experience that redefines the Berlinale’s standing on the map of major festivals.
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival, commonly known as the Berlinale, is one of the world’s leading film festivals. It was founded in West Berlin in 1951, initially with Allied support, as a “showcase of the free world” during the Cold War era.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital of Germany, historically significant as the divided epicenter of the Cold War following World War II, symbolized by the Berlin Wall. It has since been reunified and transformed into a major European hub for politics, culture, and innovation.
Kabul
Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan, with a history dating back over 3,500 years. It has served as a key cultural and political hub for empires including the Mughals and the Durrani Empire, though it has suffered significant damage from recent conflicts. Today, it remains Afghanistan’s central economic and administrative center.
Spain
Spain is a southwestern European country with a rich and layered history, shaped by Roman, Visigothic, and Islamic rule before the unification of its Christian kingdoms in the late 15th century. Its cultural sites, like the Alhambra palace and the Sagrada Família basilica, reflect this diverse heritage and its global influence during the Spanish Empire.
Spanish villa
A Spanish villa typically refers to a traditional country house or estate in Spain, often characterized by whitewashed walls, terracotta roofs, and rustic charm. Historically, these villas originated as agricultural estates or retreats for wealthy families, with many in regions like Andalusia dating back to the Roman or Moorish periods. They reflect a blend of cultural influences and are central to the image of rural Spanish architecture and lifestyle.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia with a history spanning over a millennium, evolving from an imperial system to a modern constitutional monarchy. It is renowned for its unique cultural heritage, including traditions like tea ceremonies and samurai, as well as globally influential contributions in technology, cuisine, and the arts.
Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, historically known as Anatolia and the heartland of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its modern identity was forged in 1923 as the Republic of Turkey under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The country is renowned for its vast array of cultural heritage sites, from the ancient ruins of Ephesus to the Byzantine Hagia Sophia and the Ottoman-era Topkapı Palace in Istanbul.
Tunisia
Tunisia is a North African country with a rich history shaped by numerous civilizations, including the ancient Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs. Its cultural landscape is famously marked by the archaeological site of Carthage, the well-preserved Roman amphitheater at El Jem, and the historic medina of Tunis. This blend of influences is also evident in its distinctive architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
Tunis
Tunis is the capital city of Tunisia, historically founded by the Berbers and later established as a major center under the Hafsid dynasty in the 13th century. Its medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains landmarks like the Al-Zaytuna Mosque, reflecting its long-standing role as a hub for Islamic scholarship and Mediterranean trade.
Paris
Paris is the capital of France, historically founded as the Roman town of Lutetia in the 3rd century BC. It is globally renowned as a center for art, fashion, and culture, home to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Singapore
Singapore is a modern city-state in Southeast Asia, founded as a British trading post in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. It gained independence in 1965 and rapidly transformed from a colonial port into a global financial hub, known for its diverse multicultural society and blend of traditional ethnic neighborhoods with futuristic architecture.
Palestine
Palestine is a historical and geographic region in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a deeply rooted history as a crossroads of civilizations and a central location for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Its modern political status is defined by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict over sovereignty and national identity.
Israel
Israel is a country in the Middle East, established as a modern state in 1948 following a United Nations partition plan. It is a historic homeland of the Jewish people, containing significant religious sites for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, such as Jerusalem’s Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a major conflict fought from 1861 to 1865 between the Northern states (the Union) and the Southern states (the Confederacy), which had seceded primarily over issues including states’ rights and the institution of slavery. It resulted in the preservation of the Union, the abolition of slavery, and profound social and political changes that reshaped the nation.
Berlinale
The Berlinale, or Berlin International Film Festival, is one of the world’s leading public film festivals, founded in 1951 in West Berlin during the Cold War. It was established as a “showcase of the free world” and is particularly known for its prestigious competition section, whose top prize is the Golden Bear.
