 "Berlinale 2024: Cillian Murphy's reunion with his Peaky Blinders team, debate around Israel-Hamas War; what to expect from the festival?")
The 74th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival kicked off on February 15 with several opening screenings like ‘Small Things Like This, Cuckoo, and Crossing. The Berlinale 2024 will run until 25 February and the lineup is quite promising. That being said, here’s a look at everything that you need to know about this year’s Berlinale, especially the five major things to look forward to, including the reunions and films to be screened.
Berlin Film Festival 2024: Major highlights
Cillian Murphy reunites with Peaky Blinders team
Cillian Murphy starrer Small Things Like These marked the opening screening of the Berlin Film Festival. Based on an Irish novel, the film explores Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries and Catholic-run institutions between the 18th and late 19th centuries. That being said, the film also reunites Cillian with his Peaky Blinders director, Tim Mielants, and co-stars like Eileen Walsh, Michelle Fairley, and Emily Watson.
Debate around the Israel-Hamas war
Amid the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, it also sparked a chord at the Berlinale 2024. Festival directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian were seen expressing their aim for “open dialogue” surrounding the war. While introducing the program, the directors voiced their concerns regarding “antisemitism, anti-Muslim resentment, and hate speech.”
First Black jury president
In a bid to bring more diversity to the competition, Kenyan-Mexican actor Lupita Nyong’o will be seen as the first black jury president at Berlinale 2024. The Oscar-winning actor was joined by actor-directors Brady Corbet and Jasmine Trinca, directors Ann Hui, Christian Petzold, and Albert Serra, and Ukrainian writer Oksana Zabuzhko.
A starry line-up
From Kristen Stewart returning to Berlin with her thriller ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ to Adam Sandler in Spaceman, Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham in Treasure, and Sebastian Stan in A Different Man, the Berlin Film Festival will mark a starry line-up of A-listers.
Lifetime achievement awards
Legends will be honoured with their lifetime achievement awards. While Martin Scorsese will receive an honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement on February 20, Isabelle Huppert will return to Berlin to collect her unclaimed lifetime achievement.
Notably, the closing gala, where the winners of the Golden and Silver Bears will be announced, is set to take place on 24 February.
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