Berlin Film Festival Takeaways: Timothée Chalamet Brings the Star Power, but Market Remains Sluggish

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In celebration of its 75th anniversary, the Berlinale underwent a refreshing transformation. Reminding us that age is just a number, this historic film festival managed to stay relevant among today’s young stars like Timothée Chalamet, Robert Pattinson, and Jacob Elordi. The unexpected surge of coolness in Berlin can be traced back to its new leader, Tricia Tuttle, who has been successfully injecting fresh ideas while attracting more top-tier celebrities to screenings, similar to those associated with Cannes or Venice. According to Tuttle, as reported by EbMaster halfway through the festival, the entire industry is eager for a robust Berlinale. EbMaster delves into all the modifications that took place this year.

Tilda Gets Political

The festival began with the screening of the opening-night film “The Light,” but it was Tilda Swinton’s acceptance speech for her Golden Bear award for career achievement that truly ignited the crowd. In a powerful and emotional speech, Swinton praised Berlin as a place without borders or policies of exclusion, persecution, or deportation. She described the world of cinema as inherently inclusive, untouched by attempts at occupation, colonization, or property development – a possible reference to Trump’s idea of turning Gaza into a resort area.

Timothée’s Takeover

On Valentine’s Day, Timothée Chalamet arrived in Berlin for a unique screening of “A Complete Unknown.” His red carpet style, which included a pink hoodie and tank top amidst a snowstorm, made headlines worldwide. Inside the theater, his girlfriend Kylie Jenner unexpectedly joined him. As more than 20% of AMPAS voters are international nowadays, future Oscar nominees might emulate this strategy by making last-minute appearances in Berlin during BAFTAs weekend.

Let’s (Not) Make a Deal

Despite a surge of notable talent and awards, this year’s market experienced a slow pace when it came to acquisitions. Instead of late-night negotiations at festivals involving face-to-face bargaining, executives are increasingly receiving film links from directors back home. The extended Sundance Festival saw many films not being sold until after the event had ended, and Berlin’s initial days were marked by minimal cash transactions. Sony Pictures Classics acquired the North America rights for Jodie Foster’s murder mystery “Vie Privée,” directed by Rebecca Zlotowski; while Mubi and Focus bought “The History of Sound,” featuring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. However, these deals had actually been made before the Berlinale took place.

Buzz Factor

At Berlin, one of the standout discoveries wasn’t a film, but rather the captivating miniseries “The Narrow Road to the Deep North.” Featuring Jacob Elordi and directed by Justin Kurzel, this miniseries left festival attendees spellbound after its initial two episodes were shown. Surprisingly, the series has yet to secure distribution in the U.S., but that may soon change, as several potential buyers are expressing interest.

Executive Sightings

Plan B’s co-founders Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner seldom attend events, but they made an exception at the Berlinale where their company (jointly managed by Brad Pitt) showcased Bong Joon Ho’s “Mickey 17.” This was a significant event as it marked Gardner’s participation in a fireside chat during the European Film Market. This was a significant win for Tanja Meissner, the new head of the market, and to some extent for Tuttle, who has nurtured ties with key American industry figures from her time as the head of the BFI London Film Festival.

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2025-02-20 18:17