Filmstill: Welt am Draht
The startling cold of February in Berlin has returned, and with it comes the 67th edition of the Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin, also known as the Berlinale or Berlin Film Festival. The festival begins February 9th and runs through the 19th. As with every year’s edition, there are an overwhelming number of screenings to choose from, even though most bigger-name titles tend to sell out of public tickets at alarming rates. Nevertheless, there are plenty of lesser-known titles worth your time. Guest Author Maximilien Proctor highlights a few of his most anticipated pictures (but don’t let it discourage you from seeking screenings even further off the beaten path!).
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by Guest Author | Movies
Wings of Desire
The Rainer Werner Fassbinder exhibition at the Martin-Gropius-Bau got us thinking of all the important and inspiring films set in Berlin. In a subversive metropolis that has seen more changes than anywhere in Western Europe over the last 150 years, many filmmakers have made movies as unmistakable love letters to Berlin. With no lack of deranged tentacle sex, drug abuse and political struggle, we’ve rounded up our favorite films with Berlin playing a major role. Spanning close to 9 decades, our list takes you on a tour of Berlin at different historical points, through all the luxury and glamour, the horror and disillusion. From German Expressionism to German New Wave, click on to see which films made the cut.
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by Skylar | Movies
Verena von Stackelberg is a brave woman with a burning passion for film. Opening her very own cinema was her idea for a while and when she stumbled across the perfect venue on Weserstrasse, she jumped at the opportunity. After years of hard work WOLF Kino is now open to the public. We spoke with Verena about her vision, the cinema scene and her favourite film of all times…
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by Lia | Movies, Neukölln, Places
Short films are an earnest and undervalued approach to storytelling, evoking emotions and provoking ideas. Having curated a part of our third Berlin Film Night with Mobile Kino, we know that Interfilm does it best when it comes to providing a platform for independent films, and this year, we’re welcoming the 30th round of Interfilm’s International Short Film Festival, from November 11th-16th. Berlin’s enthusiasm for interdisciplinary art forms make it the perfect city to host this festival, so let’s embrace the beauty of the short!
We’re stoked to experience Interfilm’s most expansive festival to date, where they will be screening a record of 630 films in 60 programs, with films from 70 countries and 10 competitions with €45,000 of rewards. The featured short films boast an impressively expansive array of aesthetic styles and narrative techniques, with weird and wonderfully controversial themes. Some films defy reason and rationality while others set out to shine a light on truths we’ve been sheltered from. Highly anticipated by cinephiles and casual movie-watchers alike, live-action, animations and documentaries will be gracing the screens in 9 cinemas across Berlin, to enthusiastic audiences who share a value for the short film format in its own right. Find the programs and our festival highlights after the jump.
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by Skylar | Movies, Videos
So many stories about the East and the West are now exploding in the media because of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the wall. I personally got the chance to hear so many great stories around it, that I wish I would have been old enough to participate mentally in the celebrations happening back then. To get yourself in the nostalgic mood for the big event tonight happening all over Berlin we want to present you this very well done short film by Airbnb.
Wall and Chain is telling the true story of two former border guards from the East and the West sides of the border who met through a chance encounter on Airbnb in 2012. The meeting was life changing for Joerg who had never got closure on his experience guarding the West side of the border. Meeting Kai, who had guarded the East side, and hearing that they had the same experiences helped him to break down the mental barriers he still had towards Germany.
Usually I would be a little skeptical about a company using a political event for marketing goals. But I have to say that the short film is very genuine and does not come off as trying to sell something. It simply tells the story behind the two men very intensively and you should not miss to watch the clip.
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by Claudio | Art, Videos
The film industry certainly knows what they are doing. In the Summer no great films hit the screens because everyone is out and about anyway. But in Fall when it gets colder and icky outside, so many fabulous pieces come to the cinemas it’s tough to keep up. Thus I thought it’s time for another trailerfest!
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by Lia | Movies
Next week it’s time for the Berlin edition of the Favourites Film Festival (FFF). From August 21 – 25 the Bremen-based FFF presents films that have already swept audiences off their feet and won audience awards at international film festivals. So head over, because everyone’s a winner baby.
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by Lia | Events, Movies
After all those years of studying film and working in the arts I still haven’t managed to rid myself of one reaccuring guilty pleasure: RomComs.
Indeed those romantic comedies with completely ridiculous and clichee stories magically draw me in. Although I am regularly filled with anger after the 90 minutes because such meaninglessness was funded instead of a promising art house piece, I keep coming back. I have been asking myself why for years, but am yet to find a plausible answer. Of course these films are pure entertainment, diversion from reality, an escape from reality and maybe even a little reverie. One can basically stop thinking when watching them, although ideally one should think about why gender roles are still so horribly antique in these films.
My vice took hold of me again this Easter break and I seriously watched two of these frowned upon species in a row. And I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed it. So switch off the brain and on the film:
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by Lia | Movies
This week’s Cinéma de Mode brings to you the fashion film The Wild One directed by Juan Manuel Sanchez for the Berlin-based menswear label SOPOPULAR. The video presents the new Fall/Winter collection 2013 and is definitely an ode to outstanding masculinity, with bad boys stars and hot tattooed models Daniel Bamdad and Norman Theuerkorn. Particularly impressive is the overlay of floating jellyfish against the bodies of the models, which generates a dark tension between harmony and danger. The collection, unveiled during Berlin Fashion Week, features blazers and patterned shirts, joined by a studded shoulder leather jacket that clearly is the stand-out piece. Enjoy the video after the jump!
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by Devid | Fashion, Videos
It’s Christmas shopping season and nearly everyone seems to be going insane whilst trying to find the perfect last minute gift for their loved ones. Boyfriends, girlfriends and best friends are usually not the problem, but rather those we don’t spend so much time with, like grandparents, little cousins and siblings.
Films are usually a good and safe option, but they should be the right ones.
Here’s my little guide to giving films, that help avoid embarrasment and hopefully makes the presentee happy. Well and if it doesn’t, these are all films that will look great on your shelf…
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by Lia | Movies
