The statement by jury chairman Wim Wenders that filmmakers should refrain from political statements turned the festival into a space for institutional debates.
The discussion gained new momentum after an open letter signed by more than eighty representatives of the film industry, including Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton, criticized the Berlinale's "silence" regarding the conflict in Gaza.
In the corridors of the festival, the question increasingly arises whether an event that historically positions itself as political can afford to be neutral. Paradoxically, the Berlinale's programs seem more radical than its official statements. Thus, the festival finds itself in a state of "semi-rigidity": it is political on screen but institutionally cautious.
This year, the Berlinale features over 200 films in various sections. The main competition includes 22 feature films from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. Many journalists note the presence of well-known names but a lack of films that could be considered "Berlinale event-level." The program includes works by directors such as Mundruczó, Ainouz, and Chen, but they are perceived more as solid films than groundbreaking ones. Many believe that the parallel programs are more interesting both in form and theme, appearing more radical and author-driven.
The tone of the festival was set by the film "No Good Men" by Afghan director Sadat Shahbanu; the author describes it as a political novel with elements of comedy. The film tells the story of women living in conditions where love becomes a luxury, and the right to a voice is a daily struggle. Humor here is not just a genre but a means of survival. This work addresses journalistic courage and seeks to reclaim the image of Afghan women from stereotypes to personal perception. The main impression left after viewing is that life goes on, despite everything.
No Good Men/Berlinale © Virginie Surdej
The film "Queen at Sea" starring Juliette Binoche (UK/France) also received a warm reception. It is an intimate drama about bodily memory, aging, and loss of identity, where status, beauty, and the right to choose depend on age and physical condition. The film explores love in its most unexpected manifestations.
Queen at Sea/Berlinale © Seafaring LLC
The film "Rose" by Austrian director Markus Schleinzer also received positive reviews. It is a harsh historical parable about a woman who, after the war, disguises herself as a man to "earn" her place in society with fragile conventions.
The experimental work "Everyone Likes Bill Evans" (USA/Germany) received mixed reviews but attracted the attention of professionals with its essayistic form and musical structure.
Turkey is represented by two films. The minimalist drama "Yellow Pages" (Turkey/Germany) about modern alienation received positive feedback for the accuracy of the acting and restrained direction. Meanwhile, "Liberation" (Turkey) — a harsh political film about the mechanisms of collective hatred — sparked heated debates and became one of the most discussed films.
Against this backdrop, the Singaporean film "We Are All Strangers" by Anthony Chen stands out as an example of "quiet cinema" — a delicate family statement about memory, migration, and unspoken feelings, which received a warm reception from both audiences and critics.
The film "Moscas" by Mexican director Fernando Eimbcke became one of my favorites. It is a finely crafted portrayal of close relationships and love in everyday life, about a child's perception of purity and frequency. It features a memorable shot of hospital windows that will linger in memory for a long time.
Moscas/Berlinale © Kinotitlán
However, some high-profile premieres received a restrained response: political themes did not always find successful artistic expression, creating a sense of disunity in the competition.
The Berlinale 2026 demonstrates the coexistence of two directions: on one hand, aggressive cinema that directly addresses social conflicts, and on the other, intimate stories about memory, body, and the fragility of identity. The names of the winners will be announced at the closing ceremony scheduled for February 22.
