2023 Berlin Film Festival

When the animated film Suzume was accepted in competition for the 73rd Berlin Film Festival, its creator Makoto Shinkai, took the unusual step of releasing a press release to thank all who made this possible. “At its core, Suzume is based on the massive disaster that occurred in Japan twelve years ago.

You might want to consider bringing a bottle of water with you when you catch the new film Limbo. Set deep in the Australian outback, in the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, this gritty ‘noirish’ crime drama can practically make you taste the dust that seems to encase this rural, underprivileged community.

In the world of science fiction, Dean Devlin has heavy fingerprints on some of the most successful films of the genre. Though he started his career as an actor, appearing in such films as My Bodyguard, Real Genius and Martians Go Home, it was his casting in Moon 44 that would alter his professional path.

He smiled and there were tears of joy. He danced and twirled and took a bath in the audience.

Going home for a bit of history was the motto of Romanian actress Ana Ularu, known for Inferno, Emerald City and Siberia, when she accepted a role in the HBO miniseries Spy/Master about the Cold War. HFPA's Scott Orlin chatted with her about it, and more.

Statistically, across much of Asia, Eastern Europe, North America and Oceania, the average number of cigarettes consumed by the typical smoker is around 20 to 25 cigarettes per day. After viewing the world premiere of the drama Golda at the 73rd edition of the Berlin Film Festival, it is obvious, statistics never met Golda Meir.

SHOOTING STAR Leonie Beseech wouldn't make a good teacher, she says, but she gives an outstanding performance as one in The Teachers' Lounge - according to HFPA's Scott Orlin she's one to go a long way.

Giacomo Abbruzzese explored warriors on both sides of a war and discovered a beautiful, talented actress (with dancing skills!): Laetitica Ky, in his competition feature Disco Boy. HFPA's Barbara de Oliveira Pinto caught him after the Berlinale press conference.

Silver Haze tells the story of Franky, a young nurse from a London suburb, who seeks revenge and still searches for answers after a childhood event left her traumatized. When Franky falls head over heels in love with Florence, one of her patients, her life takes a profound turn.

The German drama The Teachers’ Lounge (Das Lehrer Zimmer) from director İlker Çatak, starring Leonie Benesch, held its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. The feature tells the tale of a first-time schoolteacher, Carla Nowak (Benesch), who is committed to teaching mathematics and physical education to her class of seventh graders.