Berlinale 2025: All Eyes on the Golden Bear
The 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) culminated in a spectacular awards ceremony on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025. While the glitz and glamour of the red carpet and Hollywood stars like Robert Pattinson and Ethan Hawke drew significant attention, the real focus remained on the competition itself and the prestigious Golden and Silver Bear awards. This year's festival, under the new leadership of Tricia Tuttle, navigated political controversies and logistical challenges – including strikes and severe weather – to achieve a record-breaking number of ticket sales.
The Competition: A Solid, Yet Unpredictable, Lineup
The Berlinale 2025 competition showcased 19 films, 17 of which were world premieres. Film critics Anna Wollner and Fabian Wallmeier of rbb described the overall selection as "solid" but lacking a clear standout. Personal stories and relationships dominated the themes. Germany was represented by "Was Marielle weiĂź" and "Yunan," though neither emerged as major contenders for the top prizes.
- Strong Contenders for the Golden Bear: Among the favorites were Gabriel Mascaro's Brazilian film "The Blue Trail," Dag Johan Haugerud's "Dreams (Sex Love)," and Johanna Moder's "Mother's Baby." Kateryna Gornostai's documentary, "Timestamp," which depicted school life in Ukraine during the war, also garnered considerable praise and was considered a strong contender.
- Other Notable Films: Michel Franco's "Dreams" explored US-Mexico relations and social inequality, while Radu Jude's satirical "Kontinental '25" offered a biting commentary on societal hypocrisy. Jude previously won the Golden Bear in 2021.
The acting awards also generated excitement. Ethan Hawke ("Blue Moon"), Rose Byrne ("If I Had Legs I’d Kick You"), and Denise Weinberg ("The Blue Trail") were all considered strong contenders for the gender-neutral Silver Bear for Best Performance.
Political Undercurrents and Controversies
The Berlinale 2025 wasn't without its share of political controversy. Tilda Swinton, recipient of the Golden Honorary Bear, delivered a powerful speech advocating for humanitarian solidarity. However, subsequent discussions surrounding her comments on the BDS movement sparked further debate. A separate incident involving a filmmaker's remarks about "genocide" against Palestinians led to a police investigation and a statement from the Berlinale distancing itself from the comments, highlighting the ongoing tension between freedom of speech and the festival's commitment to avoiding political statements. This echoes similar events from the previous year, prompting intensified training for moderators to prevent future incidents.
The Verdict and What Lies Ahead
Ultimately, the 2025 Berlinale jury, headed by Todd Haynes, could choose any of the nominated films for the Golden Bear. The lack of a clear frontrunner, as noted by Anna Wollner, indicated the possibility of a politically charged decision or a surprise winner. The event was a testament to the festival’s continued relevance, despite external challenges, drawing significantly more viewers compared to the previous year. The 75th Berlinale’s success is a clear indicator of its ongoing importance in the cinematic world, despite the controversies and challenges encountered along the way.
A Look at Lorenz Dangel's Score for "September 5"
The article also highlighted the work of German composer Lorenz Dangel, whose score for the film "September 5" (premiering March 21st, 2025), received considerable attention. Dangel, a recipient of the Deutscher Filmpreis for Best Film Music, discussed his approach to composing for film, emphasizing his commitment to adapting his style to the unique needs of each project. His work on "September 5," a film about the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis, showcased his skill in creating a nuanced score that enhanced the film's documentary style without overshadowing the narrative.
Deutscher Filmpreis and Sarah BlaĂźkiewitz
Finally, the article briefly touched on the Deutscher Filmpreis, highlighting the nomination of Sarah BlaĂźkiewitz's feature film debut, "Precious Ivie," for this prestigious award. BlaĂźkiewitz discussed her creative process, the personal experiences influencing her work, and the challenges and rewards of being a young filmmaker in Germany.
