The year is 2024. It’s February. The Berlin sky is gray. If you’ve been hibernating and missed the recent discussions, here’s a reminder: it’s Berlinale time again. The film festival is in its 74th edition, showcasing over 230 films for ten days starting today (15.02.2024). Tim Mielant’s historical drama “Small Things Like This“, featuring Cillian Murphy as a coal merchant in a small town in Wexford, Ireland, during the 1980s, will open the red carpet event. The film is part of the competition, vying for the Silver and Golden Bears against 19 other productions such as the documentary “Dahomey” and the debut film “Mé el Aïn” by Tunisian-French director Meryam Joobeur. Besides the buzz at Potsdamer Platz, Berlinale Goes Kiez (17.–23.02.) is back, bringing a touch of glamour to Berlin’s arthouse cinemas and beyond. “Last Swim” will be screened at City Kino Wedding, marking Sasha Nathwani’s feature film debut and kicking off the Generation 14pluscategory. The story revolves around Ziba, a British-Iranian teenager embarking on a journey of discovery with her friends on a scorching summer day in London. On 21.02. at Babylon Kreuzberg, Yorgos Zois invites you to a deserted seaside resort with “Arcadia“, where neurologist Katerina and former doctor Yannis are tasked with identifying a corpse. This captivating drama is part of Encounters, a section dedicated to showcasing new perspectives on cinema.
Fans of Nora Fingscheidt since “Systemsprenger” should add “The Outrun” to their must-watch list: Saoirse Ronan portrays Rona, who returns home after a long absence. As she confronts her memories of childhood and her tumultuous time in London, a poignant adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s autobiographical bestseller unfolds. Alongside the Berlinale’s main program, there’s a rich array of additional events. One notable example is Gewächshaus, a network by and for BIPOC filmmakers, hosting masterclasses, workshops, parties, and more at Fotografiska under the theme “Shifting Power at Berlinale”. Here’s hoping you snag tickets and soak in the festival atmosphere! What better way to escape Berlin’s dreariness than by immersing yourself in a film marathon, sinking into a cinema seat with popcorn in hand, and being transported to another world.
Text: Sophie Doering / Stills: The Outrun, Matt McQuillan & Les Films du Bal – Fanta Sy
The complete Berlinale program is available online. Further information can be found on the website.
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