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Berlinale Bloggers 2024

Berlinale Blogger*innen 2024 © Goethe-Institut

"We are particularly proud of this year's selection, which brings together long-established filmmakers and strong new voices in independent cinema," enthuses Carlo Chatrian, Artistic Director, about the Berlinale-films. Our blogger, Prathap Nair, offered exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses, mingling with actors, directors, and fellow bloggers worldwide. Dive into the highlights, movie recommendations, and reviews to enhance your next binge-watching adventure!
 

LATEST ARTICLES BY PRATHAP NAIR

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

“I want to break the cinematic space in a way that expands it.”

In this interview with Raam Reddy, he talks about his movie from the Encounters Section “The Fable”, his interest in magical realism, the importance of leaving room for imagination in art, Berlinale, and more.

Raam Reddy at the Berlinale Photo (Detail) © Berlinale Photo (Detail) © Berlinale

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

Showcasing Indian Films: Forum and Encounters Lineup

The Indian feature films - The Fable, Kottukali and In the Belly of a Tiger - screened at Berlinale will hit the home turf sometime this year after finishing their visit to international festivals. We bring you short reviews of these films for enthusiasts curious to know what is in store with these movies.

“The Fable” (India, USA 2024). Director Raam Reddy. With Manoj Bajpayee Photo (Detail) © Prspctvs Productions Photo (Detail) © Prspctvs Productions

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

Spotlight on Indian Cinema

Featuring an eclectic blend of arthouse and mainstream movies, including other visual media art forms, Berlinale 2024 lives up to its reputation! A promising lineup of Indian films & short films are also waiting to light up movie screens in Berlin.

In the Belly of a Tiger © Photo (Detail): Jeevi Films © Photo (Detail): Jeevi Films

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

Interview with Nishi Dugar on her film Anaar Daana

A little girl’s first experience with death is the subject of Anaar Daana, a short film by Dugar. Here, she talks about how the short film came about, the camaraderie she found with the audience in Berlin and the extraordinary venue where her film was screened - the Zoo Palast.

Anaar Daana © Nishi Dugar © Nishi Dugar

INTERNATIONAL CINEMA IN FOCUS

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

A BALANCE WITH MIXED FEELINGS

The jury has decided: a Golden Bear for Mati Diop, and a Silver Bear went to Germany too. The last festival under the direction of Chatrian and Rissenbeek gave the impression of being especially political and diverse. So what happens next?

Golden Bear for Best Film “Dahomey” by Mati Diop, here with jury president Lupita Nyong'o Photo (detail): @ Ali Ghandtschti, Berlinale 2024 Photo (detail): @ Ali Ghandtschti, Berlinale 2024

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

Are Love and Happiness Available to Everyone?

A seventy-year-old widow seeks happiness once again: Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha's “My favourite cake” is a touching film about freedom and hope. The regime in Iran banned them from travelling to the Berlinale.

Lily Farhadpour as widow Mahin in the movie “Keyke mahboobe man” (eng. My favorite cake) Photo (detail): ©Hamid Janipour Photo (detail): ©Hamid Janipour

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

A Kitchen Through the Eyes of Migrant Workers

The film La Cocina shows the dynamics and relationships among illegal immigrant workers in a New York restaurant called The Grill.

Julia (Rooney Mara) and Pedro (Raúl Briones Carmona) in the film "La Cocina". Director: Alonso Ruizpalacios Photo (detail): © Juan Pablo Ramírez / Filmadora © Juan Pablo Ramírez / Filmadora

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

“Dying”, or how to live together

If the Berlin International Film Festival gave out an award for best ensemble, it should go to Matthias Glasner’s competition film “Dying”.

Lars Eidinger and Corinna Harfouch in “Dying” (2024). Director: Matthias Glasner Photo (detail): © Jakub Bejnarowicz / Port au Prince, Schwarzweiss, Senator Foto (Detail): © Jakub Bejnarowicz / Port au Prince, Schwarzweiss, Senator

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

A human aesthetic of resistance

A celebration of life in dark times: Andreas Dresen’s “In Liebe, Eure Hilde” is a tender portrait of resistance fighter Hilde Coppi, a member of the “Rote Kapelle”.
 

„In Liebe, Eure Hilde”: Johannes Hegemann und Liv Lisa Fries mit Regisseur Andreas Dresen bei der Premiere Foto (Detail): © Richard Hübner / Berlinale 2024 Photo (detail): © Richard Hübner / Berlinale 2024

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

The second life of System Crasher

“The Outrun” is Nora Fingscheidt’s second international production following the Berlinale hit “System Crasher”. With US-born Saoirse Ronan in the leading role, the German film-maker delivers a gripping drama about a recovering alcoholic.

Saoirse Ronan in “The Outrun”  (GB, GER 2024). Director: Nora Fingscheidt Photo (detail): © The Outrun Photo (detail): © The Outrun

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

Greek oregano, Turkish coffee, the Berlin “gob”, and a wolf

The posters are up. The 74th Berlinale begins. Our Berlinale blogger Sofia Kleftaki meets up with graphic designer Claudia Schramke in Berlin to chat about this year’s film festival, the unique posters and the vibrant capital. Claudia became involved with the Berlinale in an unusual way – she was brought here by a wolf.
 

Claudia Schramke © Sofia Kleftaki/ Goethe-Institut Athen © Sofia Kleftaki/ Goethe-Institut Athen

Berlinale Bloggers 2024

The Germans and their films

Forgotten gems: the Retrospective section is presenting gritty genre films and migrant perspectives – under the motto “An alternate cinema”.

Charly Wierzejewski and Eva Mattes in “Supermarket” (1974). Director: Roland Klick Photo (detail): © Filmgalerie 451 Photo (detail): © Filmgalerie 451

Berlinale 2024

All Change for the Film Festival

The festival has slimmed down: two sections have been dropped, fewer films are showing overall. Meanwhile the international competition is represented by a promising selection of entries. Maybe the management team is heralding the future of the Berlinale with this last hurrah?

”From Hilde, with Love“ (Director: Andreas Dresen) with Johannes Hegemann, Liv Lisa Fries Photo (detail): © Frederic Batier / Pandora Film Photo (detail): © Frederic Batier / Pandora Film

Berlinale Blogger*innen 2024