By Oliver Bradley
The 74th Berlin International Film Festival has commenced with a buzz of anticipation and excitement. While the performances of “Oppenheimer” Oscar nominee Cillian Murphy in the festival’s opening film “Small Things Like These” and the screening of Aaron Schimberg’s “A Different Man” are anticipated to be highlights of the festival, the lack of representation of Jewish and Israel-relevant narratives competing for the coveted Golden Bear has not gone unnoticed. This oversight has sparked concern among creative artists, particularly in the context of the concerning rise in Antisemitic hate crimes and instances of Holocaust trivialization across Europe.
The rejection of Rolf Peter Kahl’s feature film “Die Ermittlung” by the Berlinale sparked controversy, as reported in several German newspapers belonging to the Axel Springer Media Group, including Die Welt and BZ. The film, based on Peter Weiss’ play “The Investigation,” delves into the 1963 and 1964 Frankfurt trials of SS members involved in the Holocaust. Despite the support of over 200 filmmakers and cultural advocates who argued that films addressing the Holocaust were crucial for screening, the Berlinale opted to reject “Die Ermittlung.” The decision was reportedly grounded on the festival’s assertion that the Holocaust was already being adequately addressed within its program – albeit not in the festival’s COMPETITION Section.
Whether Jewish and Israel-relevant themes come out short at the festival is clearly subjective and clearly dependent on individual perspectives and expectations. However, the festival is not completely void of them either, even if they may not be as prominent as desired or slated for major prizes, if any.
While the COMPETITION section may have overlooked Jewish or Israel-relevant themes, the BERLINALE SPECIAL section compensates for this by showcasing a diverse array of films that contribute to Jewish and Israeli cultural dialogue by acclaimed masters and great performers, even if most are not competing for awards. These include: the red-carpet appearance of Adam Sandler, who will grace the event for the first screening of John Renck’s “Spaceman”. This promises to be an exciting moment for fans of both Sandler and Renck. Also notable, will be the screening of Julia von Heinz’s “Treasure”, which recounts the poignant journey of Holocaust survivor Edek as he returns to his native Poland. Von Heinz’s sensitive storytelling is sure to resonate deeply with audiences. Acclaimed Israeli director Amos Gitai will also be in attendance to present his multilingual feature “Shikun”, which is set to explore themes spanning French, Hebrew, Yiddish, and Arab cultures. Gitai’s unique perspective promises to offer audiences a thought-provoking cinematic experience. Additionally, audiences will have the opportunity to delve into the world of cinema history with David Hinton and Martin Scorsese’s feature-length documentary “Made in England – the Films of Powell and Pressburger”. This documentary, honoring the legendary Scorsese, promises to provide fascinating insights into the work of Powell and Pressburger, as well as paying tribute to Scorsese’s own illustrious career.
Tuesday night will be particularly special as Martin Scorsese himself is set to receive the Honorary Golden Bear for his exceptional contributions to the world of cinema. This prestigious award serves as a fitting acknowledgment of Scorsese’s lifelong dedication to the craft of filmmaking.
The Berlin International Film Festival, has, over the past two decades become a platform where politically charged films find a home. The festival’s festival’s PANORAMA Section, which features films competing for the Audience Award, often includes entries that tackle complex socio-political issues. This year, “No Other Land,” a Palestinian-Norwegian co-production, is one such film that is expected to generate significant debate and controversy.
The inclusion of “No Other Land” in the PANORAMA Section has already sparked discussions about its potential impact on perceptions of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Some, like Berlin-based journalist Mahari Seghid, told EJP that the festival should have reconsidered screening such a film, fearing that it may exacerbate already tense sentiments against Israel – particularly since the Hamas massacre of October 7th. Seghid’s concerns reflect a broader sentiment among some observers who believe that the Berlinale tends to showcase films that portray the conflict from a predominantly anti-Israeli perspective, without adequately representing the complexities of the situation.
The presence of controversial films like “No Other Land” underscores the Berlinale’s reputation as a forum for exploring contentious issues through cinema. While some criticize the festival for what they perceive as a biased selection of films, others see it as an opportunity to shed light on marginalized perspectives and spark meaningful dialogue.
Nathan Silver’s “Between the Temples” will also be screened in the PANORAMA Section.
The FORUM Section, known for innovative and daring works from emerging or unconventional filmmakers, will be showcasing “Mit Einem Tiger Schlafen” (Sleeping with a Tiger) directed by Austrian filmmaker Anja Salomonowitz, and “Saptamana Mare” (Holy Week) directed by Romanian director Andrei Cohn.
This year, the FORUM Section also places particular focus on films that emphasize themes of defiance and remembrance, spanning from the 1970s to the present day. These films are curated around a documentary core and explore various creative approaches to resisting silence and ensuring remembrance. One such film is “Diese Tage in Terezin” (Those Days in Terezin), a documentary by Sibylle Schönemann from 1997. The film delves into the topic of intergenerational dialogue and the significance of remembering historical events, particularly focusing on the experiences in Terezin during the Holocaust. It highlights the importance of not forgetting and the enduring relevance of past events to contemporary issues.
Further films that will be showcased at this year’s Berlinale include Ruth Beckmann’s work “Favoriten,” highlighting the talent of this Austrian Jewish filmmaker in the festival’s relatively new ENCOUTERS Section; Jeanine Meerapfel’s 1981 film “Im Land Meiner Eltern,” will be screened in the RETROSPECTIVE Section, which highlights films from German film history; Ernst Lubitsch’s remastered 1929 feature “Love Parade,” in the BERLINALE CLASSICS Section which focuses on presenting rediscovered and digitally restored gems.
This year’s festival sees two Jewish award-winning filmmakers sitting on Berlinale juries – Eliza Hittman on the GWFF Best First Feature Award Jury and Ira Sachs on the International Jury of the GENERATION Section..
Highly unusual, however, are seeing both the GENERATION and SHORT FILM Sections without any Jewish or Israel-relevant films..
For more information: Berlinale 15-25 February