The Film Festival, Berlinale International Jury from left, Nabil Ayouch, Rodrigo Moreno, Maria Schrader, Todd Haynes, Fan Bingbing, Bina Daigeler, Amy Nicholson and the festival Director Tricia Tuttle at a news conference at the opening day of International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Berlin, Thursday, Feb 13, 2025. AP Photo.
The Berlin International Film Festival, known as Berlinale, kicks off this Thursday with the world premiere of Tom Tykwer’s latest film, The Light. The movie, a compelling mix of family drama, social commentary, and music, explores the intersection of a struggling German family and a Syrian refugee’s journey.
For Tykwer, this marks his third time opening the festival. While he is widely known for Babylon Berlin, his new film takes on themes that have become strikingly relevant, especially with Germany’s upcoming national elections.
“When I started working on The Light three years ago, I had no idea migration would dominate the political discourse as it does now,” Tykwer shared with the Associated Press. “With elections happening alongside the festival, the film’s message feels even more significant.”
A High-Stakes Political Backdrop
This year’s Berlinale unfolds amid Germany’s early elections, set for February 23. The snap election follows the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition, which struggled over economic recovery plans.
One of the most contentious issues in the campaign is migration policy, alongside concerns over the rising influence of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Given the political climate, The Light has taken on new urgency, making its premiere particularly timely.
Director Tom Tykwer poses for photographer at the photo call for the film ‘Das Licht’ at the International Film Festival, in Berlin, Thursday, Feb 13, 2025. AP Photo.
At the festival’s opening press conference, politics was a central theme. Todd Haynes, the head of this year’s international jury, emphasized Berlinale’s long-standing commitment to thought-provoking and socially relevant films.
“This festival has always embraced political discourse through cinema,” Haynes said. “Right now, with everything happening in the world, that mission feels more crucial than ever.”
Franco-Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch echoed this sentiment, urging filmmakers to take bold stances. “We need strong voices. We need radical storytelling,” he said.
Five Films to Watch at the Berlin Film Festival
With 19 films in competition, the race for the prestigious Golden Bear is fierce. Here are five standout contenders:
- Blue Moon – Richard Linklater returns to Berlinale for the first time since Boyhood (2014). Set on the opening night of the musical Oklahoma!, the film stars Ethan Hawke and Margaret Qualley.
- If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You – A dark comedy from Mary Bronstein featuring Rose Byrne, A$AP Rocky, and Conan O’Brien. Byrne plays an exhausted mother navigating a sea of unhelpful people.
- Dreams – Jessica Chastain and director Michel Franco reunite for this moving drama about a wealthy socialite and a young Mexican ballet dancer (played by real-life dancer Isaac Hernández).
- Hot Milk – Emma Mackey and Vicky Krieps headline this adaptation of Deborah Levy’s novel. The film follows a young woman who meets a free-spirited traveler while seeking a cure for her mother’s mysterious illness in Spain.
- The Ice Tower – Marion Cotillard stars in this French fantasy drama set in the 1970s. Directed by Lucile Hadžihalilović, the film reimagines The Snow Queen in a cinematic spectacle.
Hollywood Stars Take Over Berlin
While the Berlinale embraces politics and thought-provoking narratives, it remains a major attraction for Hollywood A-listers.
Timothée Chalamet is set to ignite fan frenzy at the German premiere of A Complete Unknown on Friday. His portrayal of Bob Dylan has earned him an Oscar nomination, making this appearance a crucial moment ahead of the Academy Awards.
Jacob Elordi will also make waves with the premiere of his TV series The Narrow Road to the Deep North, a World War II drama following an Australian soldier haunted by his past.
Adding to the star power, Robert Pattinson will grace the red carpet for Mickey 17, Bong Joon-Ho’s much-anticipated sci-fi adventure. Fans are expected to brave Berlin’s freezing temperatures to catch a glimpse of the Twilight star in action.
As Berlinale unfolds, the festival promises a mix of cinematic brilliance, political discourse, and star-studded moments—cementing its reputation as one of the world’s most dynamic film festivals.
