(Özgü Namal and Tansu Biçer in Berlinale Golden Bear winner "Gelbe Briefe" (Yellow Letters)) By Michael Roddy In awarding the Berlinale's top Golden Bear prize on Saturday to the Turkish-German film “Gelbe Briefe” (Yellow Letters), German director Wim Wenders said he was certain its politically potent message that even people who are privileged and well…Read more Berlinale winner “Yellow Letters” has chilling message: under authoritarian rule, it could be you
Berlinale ends as it began, in a political furore
(Director İlker Çatak accepting Berlinale's Golden Bear award for his film "Gelbe Briefe") By Michael Roddy The raucous political debate over the Israeli-Gaza conflict and the rise of authoritarianism that has roiled the Berlinale Film Festival since its opening took over the stage for the closing ceremony on Saturday night where the winning films were…Read more Berlinale ends as it began, in a political furore
Underground Vienna is preserve of vampires and blues singers in two Berlinale films
(Isabelle Huppert digs in to a pre-ball snack in vampire film "Die Blutgräfin" ) By Michael Roddy There could not have been a more vivid onscreen fashion statement among all the almost 300 films shown at this year's Berlinale, which ends on Sunday, than French actress Isabelle Huppert in a blood-red dress with endless blood-red…Read more Underground Vienna is preserve of vampires and blues singers in two Berlinale films
Gaza conflict has been hot topic at Berlinale — going on all 10 days
(Ethan Hawke, a star of "The Weight", speaks at a Berlinale press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 17) By Michael Roddy Pretty much since the minute the Berlinale film festival opened on Feb. 12, the war in Gaza has been a hot topic at news conferences where the actors, directors and crew show up to talk…Read more Gaza conflict has been hot topic at Berlinale — going on all 10 days
Chadian “Soumsoum, nuit des astres” underscores need to respect nature
By Michael Roddy Near the beginning of the Chadian Berlinale competition film “Soumsoum, la nuit des astres” (Soumsoum, night of the stars) 17-year-old Kellou (Maïmouna Miawama) has walked from her village to an area of spectacular rock formations and a pellucid swimming pond where she has a terrifying vision of a half dozen zombie-like men…Read more Chadian “Soumsoum, nuit des astres” underscores need to respect nature
Child actor Escobar shines in Mexican Berlinale competition film “Moscas” (Flies)
(Teresita Sánchez as Olga and Benito Escobar as Cristian in Mexican film "Moscas" (Flies)) By Michael Roddy Nine-year-old Cristian (Bastian Escobar) is a force of nature, a bit of a con artist and a whiz on the console of an antiquated, Space Invaders-style arcade game called Cosmic Defenders Pro -- which plays such a big…Read more Child actor Escobar shines in Mexican Berlinale competition film “Moscas” (Flies)
Not just another Irish face: Danielle Galligan conquers Netflix
By Michael Roddy Danielle Galligan is a familiar Irish face for Netflix fans, having played Lady Olivia Hedges, wife of Irish brewing mogul Arthur Guinness, in the streamer's hit “House of Guinness” and a major role in the YA sci-fi series “Shadow and Bone”. She also was among the cast of thousands for “Game of…Read more Not just another Irish face: Danielle Galligan conquers Netflix
Courtenay, Binoche, shine in Berlinale dementia film “Queen at Sea”
By Michael Roddy Teenaged Sara (Florence Hunt, winsome) has a question for her mother Amanda (Juliette Binoche, superb) after they walk in on octogenerian Martin (Tom Courtenay, ditto) having sex with his dementia-stricken wife, Amanda's mom Leslie (Anne Calder-Marshall, convincing) in the elderly couple's north London townhouse. How, at his age, does he perform the…Read more Courtenay, Binoche, shine in Berlinale dementia film “Queen at Sea”
Uprooting ripples down the years in Berlinale “Nina Roza”
By Michael Roddy Art expert Mihail (veteran Bulgarian stage director Galin Stoev, in fine form) works in Montreal for collector Christophe (Christian Bégin) who has become obsessed, through seeing online videos, with an eight-year-old supposed art prodigy in rural Bulgaria named Nina (twins Ekaterina and Sofia Stanina). If the girl is who she is made…Read more Uprooting ripples down the years in Berlinale “Nina Roza”
Amy Adams is recovering alcoholic in Berlinale’s “At the Sea”
By Michael Roddy When we first see Amy Adams (Lois Lane of the Superman movies, “Junebug”, “American Hustle”) in the Berlinale competition film “At the Sea” she is pounding away outdoors somewhat distractedly on a set of drums along with other people doing the same. In other words, she's doing the kind of thing people…Read more Amy Adams is recovering alcoholic in Berlinale’s “At the Sea”
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