Berlin Film Festival Day 2 Recap: What You Need to Know
Tilda Swinton brought the heat on a snowy night as the 75th edition of the Berlin Film Festival opened with a gala that included a career achievement honor presented to the Scottish Oscar winner known for her versatility and adventure.
As reported by Variety‘s Ellise Shafer in Berlin, Swinton took square aim at the surge of far-right governments that promise to reshape the U.S. and Europe in the coming years.
“The inhumane is being perpetrated on our watch. I’m here to name it without hesitation or doubt in my mind and to lend my unwavering solidarity to all those who recognize the unacceptable complacency of our greed-addicted governments who make nice with planet-wreckers and war criminals, wherever they come from,” Swinton said during the event held at the Berlinale Palast, about a mile away from the Brandenburg Gate.
This year’s festival comes amid political turmoil in Germany as the country awaits crucial general elections on Feb. 23, which coincides with the final day of the sprocket opera that began Feb. 13. The elections have been marked by the rise of right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has caused controversy with its stance on immigration and other issues.
Variety‘s Ramin Setoodeh and Elsa Keslassy took a wider shot of the gala and what it signaled about the respected and much loved festival that is in transition in its first year under the direction of Tricia Tuttle.
“Wedged between Sundance and the last phase of awards season — and taking place at the same time as the BAFTAs (held this Sunday in London) — Berlin has struggled in recent years to compete with the star-wattage and buzz of Cannes or Venice. But Tuttle has made it a priority to bring more high-profile titles and talent to Berlin,” Setoodeh and Keslassy write.
Variety will be on the ground in Berlin through the duration of the festival, which began Feb. 13. Follow our coverage and film reviews via Variety.com — all of our news coverage can be found here and reviews found here — and through our five show daily print editions published at the festival from Feb. 13-17. Each festival daily issue is available online for Variety subscribers. And please click here to subscribe to Variety‘s free Markets and Festivals newsletter.
Here are highlights from Day 2 at the Berlinale:
“The Light” star Lars Eidinger explains that helmer Tom Tykwer’s festival opener is meant to illuminate the danger of narcissism and the fact that “we are the reason the world is on the brink.”
German helmers wrestle with politics and cultural identity.
Has Spain’s focus on commercial appeal diminished the country’s festival footprint?
Gold Rush Pictures, the banner behind “The Light,” sets a co-production deal with producer Ilya Stewart’s Hype Studios.
Emma Mackey on her “haunting” Berlin competition title “Hot Milk” and working with Vicky Kreips
Mike Downey, chair of the European Film Academy, unveils a broad slate of projects through his Downey Ink banner.
Box office revenue across Europe fell 1% in 2024, but in Germany it sank 6.5%, the European Audiovisual Observatory revealed.
New festival director Tricia Tuttle joins vigil for Hamas hostage David Cunio, an Israeli actor.
“Babygirl” star Harris Dickinson’s directorial debut, “Urchin,” heads to Berlin to launch sales at the European Film Market in Berlin.
Selma Blair is set to star in supernatural thriller “Silent” that launched pre-sales at EFM.
Berlinale competition title “Living the Land” from Huo Meng has inked a deal for distribution rights in France.
Review: “The Light”
Review: “Sex”
More coverage can be found here: Variety at Berlin Film Festival
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