16th Annual Berlin & Beyond Film Festival
The Berlin & Beyond Festival, starting tonight and running through October 26 at the Castro Theatre, highlights new cinema from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Bold Heros
This year, the festival features 29 films that celebrates this year’s theme “Light, Love & Revolution.” Many of this year’s films explore Germany’s explosive post-war era, while others meditate on the idea of one’s identity. While German films may be the main attraction, many films also come from Austria and Swizerland. Attendees can expect to see an array of different genres ranging from features to documentaries. A few highlights include:
Centerpiece film Bold Heroes premieres October 23rd. This heartbreaking, but life-affirming film follows five boys in a Swiss children’s clinic all dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Together they struggle with their diagnoses while also sticking together to keep their spirits high.
On October 26, the festival closes with If Not Us, Who a film that explores the tumultuous and politically charged 1960’s in Germany through the eyes of one couple, Bernward and Gudrun as they struggle to keep their relationship on stable ground and change the world around them. Director Andres Veiel will be in attendance, and a Closing Night celebration will follow.
Of course, these are just two of the many films premiering during the festival and there are many more worth checking out during this year’s excellent line up. Attendees can also expect a slew of guests involved in this year’s lineup, including film directors and actors.
American movie-goers rarely get to see international cinema, so here’s your chance to see what’s happening outside of the US. You’ll find out that Werner Herzog isn’t the only German filmmaker out there.
