Patricio Guzmán's documentary shows a moving history of the people of Patagonia and Chile reminding us that human suffering and injustice go beyond political and social systems. Using water not only as a symbolic tool but also as a natural element it puts the concrete story of the region's victims, including pre-colonial indigenous persons and those who opposed Pinochet's regime, into the vast perspective of humankind.
65th International Film Festival Berlin
05.02.2015 to 15.02.2015
Berlin
Jafar Panahi in "Taxi"
For the grand finale of the festival on Saturday, February 14th, the juries have awarded their prizes. The International Jury headed by jury president Darren Aronofsky chose Taxi by Iranian director Jafar Panahi as winner of the Golden Bear. Officially Panahi is banned from his profession and forbidden to leave the country. In his place his niece Hanna Saeidi received the award statuette. The Ecumenical Jury awarded El botón de nácar (The Pearl Button) by Patricio Guzmán (International Competition), Ned Rifle by Hal Hartley (Panorama) and Histoire de Judas by Rabah Ameur-Zaïmeche (Forum). Patricio Guzmán also won a Silver Bear for Best Script.
On February 5, 2015, the 65th Berlin Film Festival started with Isabelle Coixets Nobody Wants the Night. 19 entries competed for the Golden and the Silver Bears, among them the new films by Andreas Dresen, Peter Greenaway, Werner Herzog, Terrence Malick, and Alexei German. The festival devoted an Hommage to Wim Wenders, awarding him a Honorary Golden Bear on February 12 in the Berlinale Palace. The Berlinale Classics section presented a digital restored version of E. A. Duponts Varieté, a German production from 1925, with Emil Jannings and Lya de Putti in leading parts.
The Ecumenical Jury awards prizes in the International Competition, the Forum and the Panorama. The jury members were introduced at the Ecumenical Reception on February 8. Main speaker of the reception was well known German script writer Fred Breinersdorfer, among others author of the scenario of Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (Silver Bear and Prize of the Ecumenical Jury, Berlin 2005). Elser, his new film about the lone resistance fighter who made an attempt on Hitler's life, was shown in this year's competion (out of competition):
Link to the festival homepage: http://www.berlinale.de/en/HomePage.html
Awards of the Ecumenical Jury
The Pearl Button
Der Perlmuttknopf
Directed by:
2015
Directed by:
2014
The final installment of Hartley's trilogy, Ned Rifle stands on its own as an engaging study of human nature and religious motives. Lead character Ned Rifle leaves his adoptive religious household when he turns 18 to kill his father in pursuit of his mother's revenge (the subjects of the two previous films in the trilogy, Henry Fool and Fay Grim). On his journey Ned interacts with the family stalker, his uncle, his mother and his father as he seeks redemption. Beautiful cinematography and an engaging script combine drama, comedy and a keen philosophical exploration of the nature of good and evil. (Photo: © Hal Hartley)
Story of Judas
Directed by:
2015
The timeless historical drama about the life of Jesus is told from the perspective of Judas, one of his disciples, who traditionally has been seen as the betrayer of Jesus. In this film he is portrayed like Jesus, a victim of the power and oppression of the Roman rulers. This passion play asks viewers to look beyond prejudices and attempt to understand the life and message of Jesus. With an awareness of current world political events Histoire de Judas makes a strong case for our need to listen to the stories of the marginalized.
More about the festival
As best film of the year 2015, the Protestant Film Jury in Germany has awarded the Iranian winner of the Berlinale, "Taxi Teheran" by Jafar Panahi.
