Berlin Film Festival Is Ready to Roar in 2023
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Loading... - Josephine Monet
- 16 Feb 2023
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Running from 16th to the 26th of February, The Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale for short) is jumping back to its rightful place as one of the big five (or six, as some insist) on the festival circuit. Kicking off this Thursday in the German capital, it follows hot on the heels of a successful Sundance this year and promises a range of films, mainy of which have their world premiere.
Last year’s Berlinale was a waking bear, recovering from the virtual festival during COVID times. This year, the bear is back, fully present and ready to roar as a dynamic and forward-thinking film festival known for pushing the boundaries of traditional cinema and championing bold and innovative new voices in the film industry. The only place the bear is not to be seen is its traditional spot on this year’s festival poster, by local graphic designer “Claudia Schramke, which instead highlights the ‘”invisible centre” of the festival – its audience.
Since its founding in 1951, the Berlinale is known for showcasing a diverse range of films from all over the world, including independent films, arthouse cinema, and typically a handful of mainstream movies. The festival is also known for its commitment to promoting cultural exchange and dialogue through cinema, and has a long history of supporting films that deal with important social and political issues.
The timbre and reputation of the Berlinale is known for its focus on new and innovative cinema, mostly showcasing films not screened elsewhere before. With a consistently diverse and exciting film lineup, serious industry filmmakers, audiences, critics and fans descend upon the city to see things which might be released later that year, the next or in some cases not at all.
While it lacks the glitz of Cannes and the splendor of Venice, Berlin does just fine as its own entity, showcasing films that have a lasting impact on the box office as well as film history. Past examples of films that have premiered at the Berlinale are “Call Me by Your Name,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “The Shape of Water,” “The King’s Speech,” and “Black Swan.”
Its ursine trophy, the Golden Bear, awarded to the best film in competition, is still a highly valued awards in the film industry, and winning can be the launchpad for critical as well as box office success. Recently, the Berlinale has also focussed on digital and new media – new technologies and platforms for distribution – staying relevant to the changing nature of film consumption.
The opening gala is the world premiere of “She Came To Me,” director Rebecca Miller’s romantic comedy headlined by Peter Dinklage and Anne Hathaway. Jury President Kristen Stewart will be in attendance when Steven Spielberg is awarded an honorary Golden Bear for his career achievements as the Oscar-nominated autobiopic “The Fabelmans” screens out the festival.
For the all important competition, The 73rd International Berlin Film Festival has 18 titles with new films from Margarethe Von Trotte and Christian Petzold.
Six titles are by women directors, three are debut features and eleven of the directors have previously had their films screen at the Berlinale, with eight showing in competition. The 50/50 split of female and male directors mooted in previous years has not happened, but Berlinale under new Co-Chiefs Carlo Chatrian and Mariëtte Rissenbeek takes the matter of sexism more seriously than other top European festivals. Read More…
