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Culture & Leisure

Berlin Film Festival 2025: A showcase of cinematic brilliance and political undertones

Wednesday 22 January 2025 - 15:45 By: Dakir Madiha

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The 75th Berlin International Film Festival has unveiled its competition line-up, featuring a diverse array of 19 films vying for the prestigious Golden Bear prize. From poignant political documentaries to nostalgic homages to 1960s spy cinema, this year's selection underscores the festival's reputation as a platform for bold and thought-provoking storytelling.

Running from February 13 to 23, the Berlinale promises to captivate audiences with works from renowned filmmakers and rising stars alike. "This is a major A-list festival with a thriving market," said festival director Tricia Tuttle at a press conference, highlighting the participation of guests from over 150 countries.

A star-studded competition line-up

Among the standout entries is Richard Linklater’s highly anticipated "Blue Moon," a biographical drama about Broadway composer Lorenz Hart, featuring an all-star cast including Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, and Andrew Scott. This marks Linklater’s return to the Berlin Film Festival after more than a decade.

Romanian director Radu Jude brings his dark comedy Kontinental '25, while South Korean auteur Hong Sang-soo offers the family comedy What Does that Nature Say to You. Belgium-based filmmakers Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani present Reflection in a Dead Diamond, a maximalist homage to 1960s spy films.

Other notable entries include Dreams, starring Jessica Chastain as an heiress who falls for a Mexican ballet dancer, and the intriguingly titled If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, a tale of a child’s mysterious illness, featuring performances by Rose Byrne, Conan O’Brien, and rapper ASAP Rocky.

Kateryna Gornostai’s Timestamp is one of the festival’s more overtly political offerings, documenting the lives of young people in Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion. This observational documentary highlights the festival’s enduring commitment to tackling pressing global issues.

Politics woven into the Berlinale's DNA

The Berlin Film Festival has long been associated with politically charged cinema, distinguishing itself from its peers in Cannes, Venice, Sundance, and Toronto. "We do not shy away from this," said Tuttle. "It's arguably in the DNA of the city itself and also in the festival itself."

This year’s event concludes on the day of Germany’s national election, though the festival does not plan to commemorate the occasion beyond encouraging voter participation.

High-profile premieres outside the competition

Outside the competition, audiences can look forward to the German premieres of several high-profile films. Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi epic Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, and James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, featuring Timothée Chalamet, are among the highlights.

The festival will open with Tom Tykwer’s latest film, The Light, while U.S. director Todd Haynes will lead the international jury tasked with selecting this year’s Golden Bear winner.

Financial challenges and a celebratory milestone

Despite uncertainties surrounding the festival’s finances, the German government has stepped in to support its 75th anniversary. After last year’s scaled-back program, Berlin’s culture ministry has allocated an additional €1.9 million to ensure the event runs smoothly.

"This boost allows us to deliver the festival with a balanced budget this year and... to relive the festival in the way that we want to in this anniversary year," Tuttle said.

As Berlin prepares to welcome the global film community, the 2025 Berlinale promises to be a celebration of cinematic artistry, cultural dialogue, and enduring resilience in the face of challenges.