A politically charged Turkish family drama about a real-life theater couple whose lives are rocked when they receive so-called “yellow letters” – government accusations that cost them their freedom. This is how this year’s big winning film at the 76th Berlin Film Festival can be described. Özgü Namal and Turkish superstar Tansu Biçer play the couple who are stretched to the limit when political repression eats away at their sphere and threatens their marriage. İlker Çatak’s drama can be seen as an open act of resistance against both authoritarian leadership and contemporary radical right-wing winds in Europe.
– I think the film speaks for itself in its political message – or rather in its questions – said Turkish Berliner İlker Çatak, who was nominated for an Oscar for the German drama “The Teacher’s Room” (2024).
His compatriot Emin Alper won the main jury prize for “Salvation,” a religiously tinged thriller drama about a clan feud between two Kurdish villages that ends in a massacre born of blind fanaticism. The director, who is also a professor of modern Turkish history, said he wanted to understand the perspective of both perpetrators and survivors, emphasizing how complete loneliness can be when you are suffering and no one cares.
“The least we can do is to break the silence and show solidarity,” said Emin Alper, taking the opportunity to address a number of trouble spots in the Middle East:
– The Palestinians in Gaza – They are not alone. The Iranian people are suffering from tyranny – you are not alone. The Kurds of Rojava and the Middle East – you are not alone. “My own people – you are not alone,” said Emin Alper, listing the names of close friends who are in Turkish prisons.
– And the mayor of Istanbul. You are not alone. “You won’t be alone,” Alper repeated, earning the biggest applause of the evening.
Briton Grant Gee took home the directing award for the stylish black and white film “Everybody digs Bill Evans”, in which the Norwegian Anders Danielsen Lie plays the legendary jazz pianist in his darkest phase of life when he loses his young bass player in a tragic accident.
Not unexpectedly, it was a convincing German home win in the best leading role class. 20 years after Sandra Hülser won the Silver Bear for “Requiem,” she received her second on Saturday evening for another great performance.
In Markus Schleinzer’s costume drama “Rose”, the German star plays an enigmatic woman who lives under a false identity as a man in 17th century Germany.
– I listened to all of you who spoke here this evening. “And I find it remarkable that I’m in a room full of people who can tell the truth,” said the German film queen, who was nominated for an Oscar for “Free Fall” and also appeared in films such as “My Father Toni Erdmann” and “The Zone of Interest.”
The British Veterans Tom Courtenay and Anna Calder-Marshall shared the supporting actor award for the heartbreaking dementia drama Queen at Sea. In Lance Hammer’s film they play a married couple whose everyday life is turned upside down when dementia changes their relationship.
– “How nice it is, when the USA seems to be turning its back on Europe, to be in a film that was directed and written by an American, with a French protagonist, Juliette Binoche, a Northern Irish producer, and a few of us Brits – and then the film has its world premiere in Berlin,” said Tom Courtenay, who attended the Berlin Festival eleven years ago with “45 Years” and played there alongside Charlotte Rampling.
Lance Hammer’s film also won the Jury Prize. He took the opportunity to address this year’s jury chairman Wim Wenders:
“It was “Sky over Berlin” that made me want to become a filmmaker,” said Lance Hammer, turning to his German idol.
The German director gratefully accepted the support – after a turbulent week in which he had to endure severe criticism. Wim Wenders got into trouble on the first day of the festival when he declared that filmmakers should stay away from politics. This led, among other things, to Arundhati Roy’s resignation from the festival and to an open letter of protest from around 80 filmmakers who accused the festival of not taking a position on the Israel-Gaza conflict and censorship. Signatories included Tilda Swinton, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, Peter Mullan, Mike Leigh, Nan Goldin and Adam McKay.
On Saturday evening, Wenders gave a kind of defense speech in which he spoke of how the jury’s work was characterized by differences, discussions and a shared love of the language of film – an “empathetic and complex” communication that connects people across borders.
– “Our common language at the Berlinale is that of film – a form of language that is sensitive, multi-layered and always complex,” said Wim Wenders, quoting Tilda Swinton’s statement from last year’s festival: “Being for something never means being against someone else.”
Also festival manager Tricia Tuttle I felt compelled to comment on the political elephant in the room.
– It was ten eventful and emotional days. We’ve been publicly challenged this year – and while it doesn’t always feel good, it’s actually a positive thing. It shows that the Berlinale means a lot to people and that criticism and debate are an important part of democracy, says Tricia Tuttle.
Facts.The winners of the film festival
The Golden Bear for Best Film: “Yellow Letters” by İlker Çatak
The jury’s main prize: “Redemption”, Emin Alper
Jury Prize: “Queen at Sea,” Lance Hammer
Best Director: Grant Gee for “Everybody digs Bill Evans”
Best Actor, Leading Role: Sandra Hülser for “Rose”
Best Actor, Supporting Role: Tom Courtenay and Anna Calder-Marshall “Queen at Sea”
Best Screenplay: Genevieve Dulude-De Celles for “Nina Roza”
Best artistic contribution: Anna Fitch & Banker White for “Yo (Love is a Rebellious Bird)”
Best Debut: “Chronicles of the Siege”, directed by Abdallah Alkhatib
Best Documentary: “If pigeons became gold”, directed by Pepa Lubojacki
Golden Bear, Honorary Award: Michelle Yeoh
FIPRESCI Prize (International Film Critics Prize): “Soumsoum, the Night of the Stars,” Mahamat-Saleh Haroun
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Berlin Film Festival
