The Berlin International Film Festival, one of the world's most prestigious public film events, is gearing up for its 75th edition. The lineup promises a spectacular celebration of global cinema, featuring new works from Richard Linklater, Michel Franco, and Hong Sang-soo.
Competition Highlights
Richard Linklater returns to the Berlinale with Blue Moon, a period drama about Lorenz Hart’s final days, starring Ethan Hawke, Margaret Qualley, and Andrew Scott. Linklater, who won the Silver Bear for Boyhood in 2014, aims to captivate audiences once again with this Sony Pictures Classics release.
Hong Sang-soo, a Berlinale favorite with multiple Silver Bear wins, presents What Does That Nature Say to You?, continuing his tradition of introspective dramas. Norwegian director Dag Johan Haugerud rounds out the competition with Dreams, the final chapter in his Sex, Love, Dreams trilogy.
Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Ida, Disobedience) makes her directorial debut with Hot Milk, starring Emma Mackey and Vicky Krieps. Michel Franco also reunites with Jessica Chastain for Dreams, adding another layer of emotional depth to the competition.
Beyond the Competition
Bong Joon-ho’s highly anticipated sci-fi film Mickey 17, starring Robert Pattinson, will screen out of competition, alongside James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown, a Bob Dylan biopic featuring Timothée Chalamet.
Tom Tykwer’s Das Licht (The Light) will open the festival, reaffirming the Berlinale’s commitment to showcasing cinematic innovation from around the globe.
Honoring Legends and Fostering Creativity
Todd Haynes (Carol, Far From Heaven) heads this year’s international jury, tasked with selecting the festival's top honors. Meanwhile, Tilda Swinton will receive the Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement, celebrating her remarkable career and deep connection to the Berlinale, where she has presented 26 films.
A Festival That Reflects the Times
Director Tuttle acknowledges the unique challenges of organizing a festival amid a divisive global climate. Yet, he remains optimistic:
"As challenging as it’s been, it’s also been really joyous, really pleasurable, and a real privilege to watch the films we’ve selected and to work with our teams to create this program."
The 75th Berlinale, running from February 13 to February 23, 2025, promises to be a celebration of artistic resilience, offering a dazzling mix of bold storytelling, political insights, and cinematic magic.
