You’ll have heard of his subjects: David Bowie, Nirvana and the cast of Breaking Bad and Mad Men are amongst those he’s photographed. But Los Angeles-based photographer Frank Ockenfels is a figure who has stayed strictly behind the camera during his three-decade-long career. Now a new exhibition at Fotografiska Berlin gives a glimpse into how some of Ockenfels’ most recognizable works were committed to film. At the center of the show is Ockenfels’ daily journal, which contains collages, sketches and mysterious backward-written text that are combined with iconic photographs – head-on portraits of David Lynch, candid profiles of George Clooney – to create arrangements that are playful and introspective. “Introspective” is in fact the name of the exhibition, which will open on 30.01.2025 with a conversation with Ockenfels on music and photography alongside live music and DJ sets. The following day, Ockenfels will share personal anecdotes with a lecture and guided tour around his works. It’s a fitting introduction to an exhibition that is, by turns, polished and raw – providing insight into Ockenfels’ creative world.

Text: Benji Haughton / Credits: Frank Ockenfels: George Clooney 2005, DB and the Mannequin 2000, 128-129 2019, Courtesy Faheya Klein Gallery

Fotografiska Berlin, Oranienburger Str.54, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
Frank Ockenfels: Introspective 30.01.–04.05.2025

@fotografiska.berlin

If, like me, you were lucky enough to start the new year on a relaxed note, you might have already planned your next movie night with friends. Our collective list of films was long, but there’s nothing better to counter the gray January days than settling into a warm, red velvet cinema chair. Naturally, the popcorn must be within arm’s reach, your companions ready to hold hands during gripping scenes, and a cinephile on standby to help hash out the Letterboxd rating. The only question is… which movie deserves the big screen treatment and which works better in a cozy, private setting? With Mubi Go, this impossible choice becomes easier. The premium subscription to Mubi’s Cinema-on-Demand service includes a free cinema ticket every week. Explore their expertly curated program, and find options that perfectly suit your mood. For instance, “We Live in Time by John Crowle,” a so-called “weepie” (melodrama), takes viewers on a poignant journey through the relationship of Almut and Tobias. The narrative plays with time, jumping back and forth to reveal their personal growth and the evolution of their bond over half a decade.

Then there’s Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain” — equally as moving but an entirely different story. It follows cousins David and Benji as they delve into their family history. Set partly in the U.S. and largely in Poland, the film traces the emotional discoveries of this small group of travelers. Also on the must-watch list is “Babygirl” by Halina Reijn. Nicole Kidman stars as Romy, a married woman who spirals into a consuming, dominant-deviant affair. Whether you watch these gripping films on the big screen or from your sofa, Mubi and Mubi Go are here to fill your year with unforgettable cinema experiences.

Text: Sophie Doering / Credits: A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg; Babygirl, Halina Reijn

Get a year of Mubi Go for 129 euros via this link. 

Tickets can only be redeemed on the day of the screening in participating venues (reservations or online bookings are not possible).

@mubideutschland