Berlinale 2023

A constantly evolving Festival: This is how the 73rd Berlinale, which runs from 16 to 26 February 2023, describes itself. Our bloggers from eight countries are also curiously moving back and forth between the film festival's cinemas – and presenting their highlights from a selection of more than 400 films.

Berlinale 2023 © Tobias Schrank / Goethe-Institut
Abeer Mohammed, Roaa Al-Hamshari, Omar Elyas, Islam Saleem, Khaled Hamdan in „The Burdened”. Director: Amr Gamal Photo (detail): © Adenium Productions

Berlinale's first Yemeni feature film3 min
 Movie „Al Murhaqoon“: The taboo of abortion

"Al Murhaqoon" ("The Burdened") is the first Yemeni feature film ever to be shown at the Berlinale. Ahmed Shawky spoke to director Amr Gamal about the difficulties of making a film in Yemen and the taboo of abortion.
“Roter Himmel“ (Afire) 2023. Director: Christian Petzold. In scene: Thomas Schubert, Paula Beer, Langston Uibel, Enno Trebs Photo (detail): © Christian Schulz / Schramm Film

Berlinale Bloggers 2023
 “Afire” – An Unusual Comedy-Drama by Christian Petzold

“Afire”, the comedy-drama by German director Christian Petzold, won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 73rd Berlinale. Blogger Ahmed Shawky has followed Petzold's career through the last decade and provides insights into the second part of the film trilogy about the natural elements.
Suzume © 2022 Suzume Film Partners

Berlinale Bloggers 2023
 Suzume and Art College 1994 ... Two Sides of the Animation Genre

Anime is an increasingly popular genre. Ahmed Shawky reviews two of this year's promising entries to the Berlinale, and questions if the movies can live up to the hype.
The Waiting ©Volker Schlecht

Berlinale Bloggers 2023
 Berlinale Shorts – A Gathering of Nationalities and Cultures

The Berlinale Shorts is the colorful short film program of the Berlinale. Blogger Ahmed Shawky watched "Berlinale Shorts 5", a compilation of four films very different in form, content and country of production, each impressive in a different way.
The audience 'borrows' memories at Tamer El Said's exhibition "Borrowing a Family Album" ©Ahmed Shawky

Berlinale Bloggers 2023
 “Borrowing a Family Album” and the Experience of Collective Memory

Every year the Berlinale presents works that blend film with other forms of art. Ahmed Shawky explores “Borrowing a Family Album” and the experience of collective memory.
“And, Towards Happy Alleys“.Director: Sreemoyee Singh Photo (detail): © Happy Alley Films

Berlinale Bloggers 2023
 From classics to series – the broad panorama of Indian filmmaking

The first post-pandemic Berlinale promises to explore both personal and the political with themes aplenty in Indian contributions from documenting dissent to exploring first love.
“Sonne und Beton“(Sun and concrete), 2023. Director: David Wnendt Photo (detail): © Constantin Film Verleih

Berlinale Bloggers 2023
 Look back in love and anger

A fragile childhood, turbulent love and adolescence in a social flashpoint – German films are portraying very different images of the past.
„About thirty“. Argentinien 2023. Director: Martín Shanly. Photo (detail): © Un Puma

Berlinale Bloggers 2023
 New Argentine Cinema

The Argentinian films in this year’s Berlinale tell a wide range of documentary and fictional stories, testifying to the variety and vitality of present-day Argentine cinema.
Reyhaneh Jabbari in: “Seven Winters in Tehran“. Director: Steffi Niederzoll Photo (detail): © Made in Germany

Berlinale Bloggers 2023
 Resisting the Patriarchy to the Last

“Seven Winters in Tehran” very impressively documents the fate of Reyhaneh Jabbari, a young Iranian student who was executed in 2014.
Berlinale-Palast ©Alexander Janetzko, Berlinale 2020

The 73rd Berlinale
 Between nostalgia and the challenges of renewal

The German film festival is finally returning to its former normal state. Ahmed Shawky reports on anticipation, organizational and cultural changes at the 73rd Berlinale.
Marlene Burow in “Irgendwann werden wir uns alles erzählen” (Someday We’ll Tell Each Other Everything). Director: Emily Atef. Regie: Emily Atef Photo (detail): © Pandora Film / Row Pictures

Berlinale Bloggers 2023
 Flames of love

Trotta and Petzold, Schanelec, Atef and Hochhäusler – believe it or not, five out of 19 competition entries come from Germany, but something else is new too. Should we be expecting erotic fireworks?
Vicky Krieps in “Ingeborg Bachmann – Journey into the Desert” by Margarethe von Trotta Photo (detail): Berlinale 2023, International Competition, © Wolfgang Ennenbach

Berlinale 2023
 The beautiful dawn of normality

Hollywood stars will be there, the competition includes 19 films from 19 countries, and Kristen Stewart is president of the International Jury – what more do you need to pique your interest in the Berlinale?