Its quite an eclectic selection, Chatrian told the press conference in Berlin this morning.
You will see we tried to include as many genres and cinematic forms as possible.
Encounters, theBerlinales equivalent of Un Certain Regard which was launched in 2020, will showcase 16 films.
Mariette Rissenbeck and Carlo ChatrianSean Gallup/Getty Images
Deadline talked with Chatrian and Rissenbeck after the press conference to dissect the lineup.
CARLO CHATRIAN:In Encounters, there is a film by Universal,The Adults.
We put it in Encounters because Dustin Guy Defa is for us still a new emerging voice in cinema.
We have two U.S. film productions in Competition, both by young filmmakers.
I think we have to play a role in that.
Celine SongsPast Livespremiered a few days ago in Sundance and all the reviews are great.
John Trengove was at the festival four years ago (withThe Wound).
We have a third English-speaking Canadian production,Blackberryby Matt Johnson.
There must have been a lot of competition from other festivals for this film.
Why do you think the filmmakers decided to debut it at the Berlinale?
CHATRIAN: You should ask them.
Its a project that we were informed of at an early stage already last spring.
Its not only that, I think the offer we made was a good one for them.
Its also very timely, because the festival coincides with the one-year anniversary of the start of the war.
DEADLINE:Its unlikely, but do think Zelenskyy could come to Berlin for the screening?
RISSENBECK:I can imagine its quite difficult for him to travel places with the situation right now.
I dont think he will be here in person.
I cant see how he could make it.
DEADLINE:Do you know yet when it will screen yet?
CHATRIAN:Early on in the festival.
Will that be throughout the festival?
its only for our traditional pin in the shape of a Berlinale bear.
We have a different color ever year.
Its the first time weve used another countrys national color.
There will be lots of other events focused on Ukraine in the European Film Market and the festival.
DEADLINE:You were asked about Steven Spielbergs attendance in the press conference.
You seemed to suggest that he will only be at the festival very briefly, maybe 48 hours.
RISSENBECK:Something like that.
I think he is on a longer trip.
He will be in different places, and he has very little time.
DEADLINE:Is he giving a Masterclass as well as a press conference?
CHATRIAN:Its just the press conference and the awards ceremony in the evening.
We have to be sure that the films we select are the right fit for the Competition.
This year, we have a very strong presence from Asia, Australia.
Thats the beauty of the selection each year, that you have a different focus.
CHATRIAN:African films this year are quite well represented, but not in the Competition.
You may see these films and say some of these should have been in Competition.
We discussed it and in the end, my feeling was that they were not the right fit.
Its not always the best solution to select a film simply because of the country where it comes from.
But I know that there is more work to be done to make it reach a better representation.
At the same time, we dont work with quotas.
Did you make a conscious decision to steer away from pandemic-themed films and what stood out about this film?
In Northern Italy, it was very, very harsh.
You really get the sense of total disorientation.
You see doctors also dealing with that.
Can you elaborate on that?
Every independent film, without a festival will see their outreach drastically reduced.
The festival has become probably the best support for independent cinema.
Its good to give room to new voices and this year, we have done a great job.
But weve also selected Margarethe von Trottas film.
Shes an established filmmaker, she doesnt need a festival, but her film does.
I think it was the right move.
As you said, so far, women have been the winners.
We both believe that this was absolutely right to do.
DEADLINE:So you havent had any pushback about the fact only women have won?
Well see how things will go this year with a women president of the jury.
But Im sure that women will want the best actor to win.
When Maria Eggert won forIm Youre Man, everyone thought her performance was a great achievement.
I think we are all going into that direction.
DEADLINE:Todays announcement brings the total number of feature films announced so far to 293.
Are you planning any final additions, or is that it?
CHATRIAN:We are happy with this lineup.
But you never know.
There might be one or two new titles but there will not be a whole new batch of films.
