Berlinale 75: Islands, Reflection in a Dead Diamond, and Köln 75
Monday, February 17, 2025 at 11:00PM by Elisa Giudici
Three more reviews for you from the 75th edition of the Berlin Film Festival, all of them successful films, too.
KÖLN 75 by Ido Fluk (Belgium/Poland/Germany)
The word that best describes this film is energetic. While it firmly belongs to a well-trodden genre, Köln 75 immediately stands out for the sheer force and irresistible vitality of its young protagonist. That energy pulses through this fast-paced, sharp-witted musical biopic, which engages directly with its audience, frequently breaking the fourth wall to recount a remarkable yet nearly unthinkable chapter of 1970s music history.
The film centers on the legendary Köln Concert, Keith Jarrett’s solo performance that would later become an iconic album. What makes the story feel so fresh, though, is its unexpected perspective...