Chalamet and Pattinson make an appearance on the glamorous red carpet
In the year 2025, the Berlinale is all set to captivate audiences once more, shifting the spotlight from political debates to the glamour of film. New director Tricia Tuttle, having taken over from controversial predecessors, introduced the competition lineup with a refreshing new perspective in her first press conference. The theme of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, which runs from February 13 to 23, revolves around human relationships and crises, steering clear of excessive politics.
Tuttle, along with her co-directors Jacqueline Lyanga and Michael Stütz, aimed to transform the Berlinale festival into a social event that celebrates the art of film. The competition lineup reflects this fresh focus, featuring stories about families and relationships, go through life crises, love, and self-discovery. Notable examples include Richard Linklater's "Blue Moon," Michel Franco's "Dreams," and Mary Bronstein's "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You" - all delving into the complexities of human connections.
This year, the film festival's renowned Bear competition showcases a more diverse range of films than usual. Familiar faces like South Korean Hong Sang-soo and Romanian Radu Jude are present, but with more turnover than expected. Additionally, only one German-produced film, "What Marielle Weiß" by Frédéric Hambalek, made the cut.
The presence of international stars like Robert Pattinson in Bong Joon-ho's "Mickey 17," Timothée Chalamet in "A Complete Unknown," and Benedict Cumberbatch in "The Thing with Feathers" further highlights the festival's focus on attracting global talent.
Given its diverse theme, the Berlinale Special section includes films that are both political and up-to-date, such as "A Letter to David" and "Holding Liat" which shed light on historical events and current unrest in Gaza and Ukraine, respectively. Other notable films include "All I Had was Nothingness," a reconstruction of the Holocaust's representation in cinema, and "The Möllner Letters," a poignant exploration of the aftermath of right-wing extremist arson attacks in Germany.
The festival also includes films with a more fantastical bent, like Roma von Praunheim's "Satanic Sow" and the animated "Lesbian Space Princess," which imagines a space princess on a mission to save her ex-girlfriend from her captors. The Berlinale Special section also invites audience members to watch Tilda Swinton, a Scottish Oscar winner, receive the Honorary Golden Bear.
Bong Joon-ho's "Mickey 17" and Tom Tykwer's "The Light" are noteworthy additions to this section, each holding their unique appeal.
The 2025 Berlinale presents an exciting mix of international and domestic talent, film genres, and themes. Boasting a diverse jury, including US director Todd Haynes and actress Maria Schrader, this edition of Berlinale promises a memorial celebration of world cinema's exceptional artistry.
Tuttle mentioned that the competition lineup features films focusing on families, relationships, and human connections, such as Richard Linklater's "Blue Moon" and Mary Bronstein's "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You." During the festival, Tilda Swinton will be receiving the Honorary Golden Bear, making it an exciting event for audience members.
