Video: The Ukraine war and Iran shape the Berlinale program

STORY: Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek don’t have to dress warmly for the red carpet yet. The 73rd film festival in Berlin only opens its doors to stars and film fans from all over the world on February 16th. On Monday, the Berlinale management duo presented the festival program. And this year is particularly marked by the war in Ukraine and the protest movement in Iran, as Chatrian explains. “So we have films that were shot in Ukraine and we have films that deal with what is happening and what happened in Iran. But what I like most is that these films try to do it a little differently They’re obviously trying to move our conscience and make us sensitive to all these things, but at the same time they’re giving us an insight from a very personal point of view.” For example Sean Pean’s. The Hollywood star was filming in Ukraine before the Russian attack. The reality of the war and his encounter with President Volodymyr Zelensky changed his film. The documentary “Superpower” celebrates its world premiere at the Berlinale. Star power can also be expected from the documentaries about Boris Becker and the Irish rock band U2. Steven Spielberg will receive an Honorary Lifetime Achievement Bear at the festival. And the top-class jury will be chaired by US actress Kristen Stewart. In addition to all this glamour, festival guests can also look forward to the fact that the Berlinale is now taking place again in full size and without special corona restrictions after two years of the pandemic. “It’s back, everything is possible, people come from all over the world, there are no countries except for travel opportunities, there are no people who somehow cannot come for other reasons because they cannot enter because they are not vaccinated. There were a lot of questions that we had in the last two years. And now it’s a relief to think that a bit of normality is back.” And of course normality also includes rooting for who gets to take the Golden Bear home with them in the end. 18 films are in the running for the coveted trophies, including five German films, some with old Berlinale acquaintances. A total of around 300 films can be seen in the various sections – from February 16th to 26th in Berlin.

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