Berlin Festival Adds Final Titles to Panorama, Forum, and Generation Sidebars

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As a gaming enthusiast diving into the latest news, I’m stoked to share that just before the grand 75th anniversary celebration, the Berlin International Film Festival has unexpectedly beefed up its lineup with three fresh additions to its sidebar sections!

Two longtime participants in the Berlinale, German filmmakers Rosa von Praunheim and Gerd Kroske, are set to come back this year with their newest films, while first-timer Chinese director Jing Yi will make her debut at the festival with her initial feature film.

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German directors Rosa von Praunheim and Gerd Kroske, who have both been part of the Berlinale for a while now, are coming back this year with their latest productions. Meanwhile, Chinese director Jing Yi is making her first appearance at the festival, presenting her debut feature film.

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Two familiar faces from the Berlinale scene, Rosa von Praunheim and Gerd Kroske of German descent, will bring their recent works to the festival once again, while Jing Yi, a newcomer from China, is set to make her mark with her initial feature film.

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Two seasoned Berlinale directors, including Rosa von Praunheim and Gerd Kroske from Germany, are returning this year with their latest projects. On the other hand, Jing Yi, a debutante director from China, will be attending for the first time, showcasing her initial feature film.

OR

Rosa von Praunheim and Gerd Kroske, two veterans of the Berlinale festival from Germany, are coming back this year with their latest offerings. Meanwhile, Jing Yi, a new face in Chinese cinema, will grace the festival for the first time with her debut feature film.

The film “Satanische Sau” by Von Praunheim, also known as “The Satanic Sow,” has been added to the Panorama Special collection. This latest work from Praunheim is a unique blend of comedy and reality, serving as what appears to be his final production. Praunheim, an 82-year-old trailblazer in LGBTQ+ cinema, boasts an impressive body of work that spans over 150 pieces, including films such as “City of Lost Souls” (1983), “The Einstein of Sex” (1999), and the documentary “Heroes and Gay Nazis” (2005).

As a devoted admirer, I’m thrilled to share that filmmaker Kroske is back at the Berlinale for his fifth time, this time with “Stolz & Eigensinn” (Pride & Attitude). This captivating non-fiction feature delves into the lives of hardworking women in the industrial sector of former East Germany. Kroske, renowned for his Kehraus trilogy, which chronicles the lives of three street sweepers in Leipzig, is ready to unveil this new masterpiece in this year’s Forum program.

Lastly, the Generation Kplus segment has been fully rounded out with the inclusion of Jing Yi’s first film, titled “Zhi Wu Xue Jia” or “The Botanist“, in competition. This initial offering is characterized as a heartfelt story about the bond between a boy and girl set in northwest China, exploring themes of resilience and exploration through the artistic perspective of botany.

The 2025 Berlinale runs Feb. 13-23.

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2025-01-27 16:24