The statement by jury chairman Wim Wenders that filmmakers should avoid politics sparked active discussions at the Berlinale.
The criticism of the festival's "silence" regarding the conflict in Gaza, expressed in an open letter by more than eighty figures in cinema, including Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton, added fuel to the fire.
In the corridors of the festival, the question is increasingly raised about whether such a politically oriented event as the Berlinale can afford to be neutral. Paradoxically, the festival's program turns out to be more radical than the official statements of the organizers. As a result, the Berlinale can be characterized as "semi-hard": it is political on screen and cautious institutionally.
This year, over 200 films are presented in various sections of the festival. The main competition features 22 full-length films from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. Many critics note the presence of well-known names but point out a lack of films that could be called "Berlinale-level events." The program includes works by Mundruczó, Aïnouz, Chen, Shanelts, and others, but this is perceived more as a collection of solid works rather than a breakthrough.
The festival opened with the film "No Good Men" by Afghan director Sadat Shahrbanu, which the author considers a political romantic comedy. The film tells the story of a woman living in conditions where love becomes a luxury, and the right to a voice is a daily struggle. The humor in the film is not just a genre but a means of survival, and the work itself serves as an attempt to reclaim the image of Afghan women from stereotypes to real life. After watching, one is left with the feeling that life goes on despite all the difficulties.
No Good Men/Berlinale © Virginie Surdej
The film "Queen at Sea" starring Juliette Binoche (UK/France) was also warmly received by critics. This chamber drama explores themes of memory, aging, and loss of identity, where status and beauty are defined by age and physical condition. The film touches on unusual manifestations of love in conditions where one seems to exist and not exist simultaneously.
Queen at Sea/Berlinale © Seafaring LLC
The film "Rose" by Austrian director Markus Schleinzer also received positive reviews. It is a stark historical parable about a woman who, disguised as a man after the war, tries to "earn" her place in a society where acceptance is always conditional and fragile. The film stands out for its impeccable acting and masterfully constructed plot.
The experimental film "Everyone Loves Bill Evans" (USA/Germany) elicited mixed reactions among viewers but caught the attention of professionals due to its essayistic form and musical structure.
This year, Turkey presented two films. "Yellow Pages" (Turkey/Germany) is a minimalist drama about alienation in a modern city, praised for its precise acting and restrained direction. "Liberation" (Turkey) is a politically sharp film about the mechanisms of collective hatred, which received polarizing reviews and became one of the most discussed films.
Against this backdrop, the Singaporean film "We Are All Strangers" by Anthony Chen turned out to be an example of "quiet cinema." This delicate family statement about memory, migration, and unspoken feelings was warmly received by both audiences and critics.
One of my favorite films was "Moscas" by Mexican director Fernando Eimbcke. This delicate and thoughtfully crafted work about close people and love manifesting in various situations touches on the world of children and the perception of purity. The film features a stunning moment with hospital windows—one of the most memorable in recent times.
Moscas/Berlinale © Kinotitlán
Nevertheless, some high-profile premieres received restrained evaluations: political themes did not always find convincing artistic expression, creating an impression of unevenness in the competition.
The Berlinale 2026 demonstrates the coexistence of two trends: on one hand, sharply political cinema addressing social conflicts, and on the other, intimate stories about memory, body, and the fragility of identity. The winners will be announced at the closing ceremony scheduled for February 22.
