The Berlinale Specials program for
this year, a non-competitive gala section of the Berlin Film Festival, is set
to feature two intense action films. Kristen Stewart stars in Rose Glass' crime
action movie "Love Lies Bleeding," alongside Anna Baryshnikov, Dave
Franco, Katy M. O’Brian, Ed Harris, and Jena Malone.
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| Katy O’Brian and Kristen Stewart in 'Love Lies Bleeding' |
After premiering at Sundance later this month, "Love Lies Bleeding" will make its international debut in Berlin. The Korean thriller "The Roundup: Punishment," directed by Heo Myeong-haeng and starring Don Lee of "Train to Busan" fame, will have its world premiere in Berlin.
Unveiled on Monday, additional
highlights from the Berlinale Specials include "Shikun," the latest
drama by Israeli filmmaker Amos Gitai (known for "Kadosh").
"Turn in the Wound," a documentary project from acclaimed New York
filmmaker Abel Ferrara ("Bad Lieutenant"), explores life in Kyiv
since the onset of the war in Ukraine. Alessandro Borghi, known for his role in
"The Eight Mountains," plays the notorious porn star Rocco Siffredi
in "Supersex," an Italian Netflix drama, which will also have its
world premiere in Berlin. "The Box Man," a new drama directed by
Japanese filmmaker Gakuryu Ishii ("Labyrinth of Dreams"), will also
debut in Berlin.
French documentarian Nicolas Philibert, who won best film in Berlin last year for "On the Adamant," returns to the German capital with the out-of-competition entry "Averroès & Rosa Parks," designed as a companion piece to the Golden Bear winner.
Additional documentaries featured
in the Berlinale Special lineup include "Made in England: The Films of
Powell and Pressburger," directed by David Hinton and narrated by Martin
Scorsese. This documentary explores the work of legendary British filmmakers
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
"The Empty Grave," directed by Agnes Lisa Wegner and Cece Mlay, delves into the efforts of Tanzanian descendants seeking to repatriate the remains of their ancestors from Germany, where they were killed by German colonialists in 19th century East Africa. Dimitris Athiridis presents "Exergue," an 840-minute (!) documentary on art curator Adam Szymczyk's creation of the documenta 14 art exhibition in 2017.
The full competition program for
the 74th Berlinale will be revealed on Monday, Jan. 22. The Berlinale is
scheduled to take place from Feb. 15 to Feb. 25.
