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Berlinale 2023

Green Night

Jin Xia is a young Chinese woman, fleeing from a secret and troubled past. She arrives in South Korea where she marries a local man in exchange for a citizenship. She works at the airport security and one night meets a mysterious young woman with green hair. The two immediately gravitate towards each other, but what starts as a surprising night romance turns into a journey where they’ll have to fight for their lives against local criminals as well as face the violent men in their lives.

Director Han Shuai delivers to her audience a powerful crime thriller with two fascinating and surprising female leads: Chinese international film star Bingbing Fan (“I am not Madame Bovary”, “X-Men: Days of Future past”, “The 365”) in a breathtaking and unconventional role, and the rising Korean film star Lee Joo Young, who recently starred in “Broker” which featured at Cannes Festival.

 

Femme

Jules (or Afrodita Banks, by his stage name), is a glamorous drag queen known for her thrilling performances on the best stages of London. Jules lives with two roommates who happen to be his best friends and it seems as if his life is wrapped in a particularly bright and shiny cellophane.
One night after a show, when he steps out to buy some cigarettes in full drag, Jules is brutally attacked by Preston and his gang. After months of shutting himself out from the world, in order to recuperate both physically and emotionally from the trauma, Jules decides to go to the local sauna. There, without make-up, wearing only a towel, he meets his attacker – Preston. The random encounter will turn into an unexpected opportunity for revenge.

Directors/Screenwriters duo Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon Ping provide the viewers with a psychological vengeance drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
George MacKey, who was discovered in the film “Pride”, as a youth fresh out of the closet that joins a group of LGBTQ activists, provides a complex portrait of a violent young man, filled with self hatred and internalised homophobia. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, who is known for his work in theatre, television and films (especially TV series “Misfits”), is taking on just as challenging a role as Jules.
Viewing is 18+ due to violence and explicit sexual content.

 

Till the End of the Night

Leni, who is serving time for dealing drugs, is being released from prison by the police in order to help Robert, an undercover detective, to gain the trust of Victor, local mafia head. Leni and Robert move in together as a couple and start attending dance classes alongside Victor and his partner. Leni is a transgender woman who had begun her transition while in prison while Robert is her ex and in fact the one who got her arrested. Leni hopes to succeed in her mission so she could leave Germany and Robert just wants to do his job. Past feelings are threatening to surface and put the fake couple’s life at risk.
Director Christoph Hochhäusler and his two excellent main actors create a portrait of a couple trapped in a loop that, if they don’t break, might choke them both.
“Till the End of the Night” takes inspiration from Film Noir, and the witty script by Florian Plumeyer is keeping the viewers on edge with surprising plot twists. The film was nominated for a major award at the 2023 Berlinale Festival and has rightfully won his star, transgender actress Thea Ehre the Silver Berlin Bear Best Supporting Performance award.

 

Mutt

מעורב

After going through a gender affirming surgery it seemed easier for Feña to just cut every tie to his past and start fresh. Dealing with the changes he’s been through was bad enough, not to mention his family’s reaction. But when he runs into his ex-boyfriend and gets a surprise visit from his father and his little sister, life forces him to deal with the past.

“Mutt” is the debut film of director Vuk Lungulov-Klotz who creates a cinematic piece full of compassion, intimacy and honesty, taking us through the journey of a man who tries to reconcile his past with his present so he could have a better future.

A special praise goes to the cast of previously unknown actors, which makes the viewing experience a real joy. Above all others shines transgender actor Lío Mehiel as Feña.

The screening is in association with Project Gila & part of the earnings are a donation to the project.

Gila Project for Trans Empowerment (AKA Transgenders for Social Justice) was founded in 2010 by and for the transgender community. It began as an activist group working to change the lives of transgender people, with a focus on personal empowerment, advocacy for rights, and demanding access to resources and opportunities. The Project grew into a strong trans-led nonprofit that continues to uphold these values and goals, and works in the field of LGBTQ rights, human rights, and social justice.

Festival Program Launch & “Silver Haze”

Before the screening: Presentation of the festival program and trailers from major films at the TLVfest 2023 October 19-28

A breathtaking drama by director/screenwriter Sacha Polak that had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.

23 years old Franky was badly injured as a child in a fire, which left marks and not only on her body. For fifteen years she’s been trying to bring those responsible for the fire to justice. She now works in the same hospital where her life was saved and she always finds the right words for every patient, even for moody Florence. The two fall in love and Franky runs away from her oppressive, LGBTphobic middle class family to find a safe haven with Florence and her family. But the past won’t let her rest.

“Silver Haze” is the second cooperation between director Sacha Polak and actress Vicky Knight. The script is based on memories of real events from Knight’s life. Tibor Dingelstad’s sensual cinematography creates raw realism but also tenderness. Joris Oonke and Ella Van Der Woude’s original soundtrack completes the atmosphere and drama of this powerful film.

Drifter

22 years old Moritz is moving to Berlin to be with his boyfriend, Jonas. Jonas is a sexy photographer who prefers a non committal way of life and an open relationship.
Much to Moritz’s surprise the relationship ends and he’s left alone and broken. He searches for solace for his aching heart and finds himself making new friends, going to the gym, developing a sense of fashion and discovering drugs. Moritz is turning into a party animal and begins to act on his deepest desires.

Hannes Hirsch’s debut film describes a new beginning for an inexperienced young man in Berlin’s nightlife scene with sensitivity and authenticity. “Drifter” touches many subjects such as body image, fluid sexual identities and addictions. The film takes a deeper look into the world of the nightlife characters and exposes their vulnerability and layers.
Viewing is 18+ due to explicit sexual content and nudity.

In association with the Embassy of Germany

Silver Haze

If you had tickets for the 1.9 screening, they were automatically moved to the 16.9 screening at 21:00.

A breathtaking drama by director/screenwriter Sacha Polak that had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.

23 years old Franky was badly injured as a child in a fire, which left marks and not only on her body. For fifteen years she’s been trying to bring those responsible for the fire to justice. She now works in the same hospital where her life was saved and she always finds the right words for every patient, even for moody Florence. The two fall in love and Franky runs away from her oppressive, LGBTphobic middle class family to find a safe haven with Florence and her family. But the past won’t let her rest.

“Silver Haze” is the second cooperation between director Sacha Polak and actress Vicky Knight. The script is based on memories of real events from Knight’s life. Tibor Dingelstad’s sensual cinematography creates raw realism but also tenderness. Joris Oonke and Ella Van Der Woude’s original soundtrack completes the atmosphere and drama of this powerful film.

 

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