At the backdrop of Germany’s upcoming general elections, Berlin celebrates its new Golden Bear winner, marking the end of a Berlin International Film Festival that witnessed far less controversy than the previous year. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of this year’s event.
The 75th Berlin International Film Festival has concluded, with US filmmaker Todd Haynes leading the jury of this year’s edition, selecting it from the 19 films in Competition. The prestigious Golden Bear for Best Film was awarded to ‘Drømmer (Dreams [Sex Love]))’ by Norwegian director Dag Johan Haugerud. This film, which revolves around a 17-year-old girl’s bittersweet crush on her teacher, concludes Haugerud’s Sex / Love / Dreams trilogy, the first part of which premiered at the Berlinale last year.
Upon receiving the prize from jury president Todd Haynes, Haugerud advised the audience to “write more and read more,” emphasizing its value to personal growth.
Gabriel Mascaro’s Brazilian film ‘O último azul (The Blue Trail)’ had to settle for the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize. It portrays a near-future Brazil where older citizens face forced relocation and displacement, offering a poignant commentary on ageism and authoritarian control.
Radu Jude stirred controversy with his win for Best Screenplay for ‘Kontinental ’25’, where he criticized the dehumanizing effects of techno-capitalist society and expressed hopes for a less controversial Europe.
Argentinian director Iván Fund was awarded the Silver Bear Jury Prize for his film ‘El Mensaje’, a narrative about a girl’s unique ability to communicate with animals.
Chinese director Huo Meng and Australian actress Rose Byrne also won notable awards for Best Director and Best Leading Performance, respectively.
The ceremony was marked by various films tackling timely themes, from political commentary to the impacts of war and societal shifts, with a focus on addressing these issues through art without succumbing to controversy.
New Berlinale head Tricia Tuttle’s leadership marked a shift towards a more positive, less politically charged festival. Despite external pressures and controversies, Tuttle remains committed to fostering an international platform for cinema, expressing hopes to continue her mission intransforming the Berlinale.
The full list of winners includes Golden and Silver Bears across various categories, from Best Film and Best Director to Best Screenplay and Best Artistic Contribution, showcasing a diverse range of international cinema.
The Berlin International Film Festival concludes on a high note, achieving key successes despite challenging circumstances and controversy. The event stands as a testament to the power of cinema to engage with critical societal issues, advocate for change, and foster a sense of global community and dialogue.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/02/22/berlinale-2025-golden-bear-goes-to-norwegian-film-dreams-sex-love
