Berliners, Sabine ‘Bee’ Koch writes, were very much looking forward to this year’s Berlinale 2025. After five years the not-so-dynamic duo of Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian who, in my opinion, never connected with the festival, the city, and foremost its people, have handed over the reins to London Film Festival alumni Tricia Tuttle. While the […]
“Let’s get together” Berlinale 2023
March 21, 2023 by
Bee takes another bite of the Berlinale – her informed and inimitable take on the 73rd annual Berlin International Film Festival in 2023. After being very successful last year, this year’s Berlinale upped the ante and went to 100% capacity. The audiences lapped it up with most screenings selling out and people congregating just like […]
Film Review: Berlinale 2022 Bees Pick of the Best
February 23, 2022 by
So this year’s Berlinale Bear dared to roar again! As the first major film fest to go full “in person” in these pandemic times, the festival directors Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek took a risk and it paid off. At 50% capacity most screenings were sold out and the film buzz, while subdued, entered the […]
Berlinale 2020 – A Mirror of the 21st Century
March 11, 2020 by
Berlinale 2020 – One Year After Kosslik The charismatic head of the Berlinale, Dieter Kosslik left after 18 years with amazing successes attached to his name but also growing criticism about the programming of the festival. Instead of finding another Jack of all trades, the Berlinale decided to split the position into artistic director (Carlo […]
Movie Review: Berlinale 2019 Top 3 Picks – Bee’s Bunch of the Best
February 25, 2019 by
This year’s Berlinale marked the swan song for Dieter Kosslick, the outspoken and celebrity-friendly festival director. After 18 years he is giving up his reigns and although he has been criticised by some over the last years, his contribution in making the Berlinale one of the top 5 film festivals of the world and the […]
Movie Review: Berlinale 2016
March 8, 2016 by Leave a Comment
In February there is one unmissable thing in Berlin – the Berlinale. As usual, this film festival is about being eclectic and not all about ‘the competition.’ So the 16 films our reviewer, Sabine ‘Bee’ Koch, got to see, ranged from Japanese thrillers, Iranian ghost stories and the very first queer movie – 1919’s silent […]
How to do the Berlinale – an insider’s tips
February 11, 2015 by 6 Comments
Some advice from a seasoned veteran on “How to do the Berlinale” It’s February in Berlin and that means The Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin, known as the Berlinale, and it’s dominating the face of my town writes Sabine Koch, guest contributor. During the 10 days of films, parties, markets you can get a glimpse of the world of […]
