Berlinale 75: Islands, Reflection in a Dead Diamond, and Köln 75

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...

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Berlinale 75: Bong's back with "Mickey 17"

by Elisa Giudici

Bong Joon-ho rarely misses the mark—or at least, he approaches his projects with such precision that his return to the big screen after Parasite feels both carefully crafted and self-assured. Following a film that not only reshaped his career but also changed Oscar history by opening the doors to international cinema, Mickey 17 carries the weight of great expectations. It may not reach the towering heights of Parasite, but it reaffirms Bong's status as one of the most inventive and influential Korean directors on the global stage.

Interestingly, Bong Joon-ho was already a successful Hollywood filmmaker long before Parasite became a global phenomenon. Films like Snowpiercer and Okja demonstrated his ability to blend spectacle with social commentary, and Mickey 17 feels like a return to that style—for better and for worse. This time, he tackles the sci-fi genre again, weaving a narrative that is both thought-provoking and undeniably entertaining...

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Berlinale 75: "Dreams" is sure to be controversial

by Elia Giudici 

After the Emilia Pérez affair, Dreams by the Mexican director Michel Franco presents a portrait of the Mexican population that is sure to spark intense debate. Even as the audience left the theater, groups of journalists were already engaged in animated discussions among themselves. This is because, at the film's conclusion, Franco makes a bold choice that inevitably compels one to take a firm stance. His hand, clearly visible, is that of the director of Nuevo Orden, a filmmaker who, when confronted with violence and cruelty reaching almost unbearable heights, approaches them with the cold detachment of a surgeon...

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Berlinale 75: Manipulative Partners and Matters of Motherhood

by Elisa Giudici

HOT MILK, Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Hot Milk is a hot mess, a disappointing misfire for all involved. 

Expectations were high for Rebecca Lenkiewicz's directorial debut. As an acclaimed screenwriter behind the brilliant Polish drama Ida and the emotionally charged Disobedience, she seemed poised to deliver a sensual and compelling contender for the Golden Bear. The film also featured a strong trio of actresses: Sex Education's breakout star Emma Mackey, the ever-impressive Fiona Shaw, and Vicky Krieps—renowned for her sophisticated choices in European cinema. Yet, despite this promising lineup, Hot Milk struggles to find its rhythm and tone, failing to engage its audience from the very beginning...

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Berlinale 75: “Das Licht” makes for an Overstuffed Opening

by Elisa Giudici

After two hours and forty minutes, Das Licht's conclusion delivers a devastating blow, undoing much of what had been carefully built up. It's like a long, enjoyable flight that ends in a disastrous crash landing—an impact so severe that it forces a reassessment of the entire journey. 

Tom Tykwer's latest work, chosen to open the 75th Berlinale, is ambitious and multilayered, yet excessive in its attempt to tackle everything—and its opposite—within a Berlin inhabited by both genuine victims and impostors who thrive on victimhood. Despite its considerable runtime, the film fails to develop any of its many narrative threads in a fully satisfying way...

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