In the bustling city of Berlin, a profound examination of history and a pressing social consciousness have converged at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, known as the Berlinale. The festival has garnered attention not only for its cinematic masterpieces but also for its bold engagement with sensitive political narratives, particularly those delving into Germany’s Nazi past and the current surge of far-right rhetoric.
As a cinematic gathering with a strong inclination for addressing political subjects, the Berlinale is screening films that incite both discussion and reflection. One such film is “Treasure” by German director Julia von Heinz. The drama, which features the unlikely casting of U.S. actor Lena Dunham and Britain’s Stephen Fry, navigates the delicate terrain of a Holocaust survivor’s return to Poland accompanied by his journalist daughter. Set against the backdrop of post-Iron Curtain Europe, the film is inspired by true events and breaks the longstanding family silence on the harrowing period of the Nazi regime.
In this emotionally charged narrative, Fry embodies Edek, an affable yet complex character seeking to connect with his reserved daughter, Ruth, played by Dunham. The poignant story reaches a climax when Edek and Ruth visit his childhood home in Lodz. Here they stumble upon a profound vestige of the past: the current occupants of Edek’s former home are still using the porcelain tea set, silverware, and a green velvet sofa left behind when Edek’s family was forcibly taken away. The artifacts serve as harrowing reminders of the horrors endured by those who suffered under the Nazis’ hands.
Addressing the recent spike in anti-Semitic incidents, von Heinz articulated her motivation to complete and present “Treasure” at the Berlinale. She firmly rejected the notion that the cinema world has exhausted narratives on the Nazi epoch, asserting that new perspectives on this dark chapter of history are not only necessary but vital. Her film arrives at a time when recollections of the past are more imperative than ever.
Lending her voice to the discussion, Dunham connected the historical lessons depicted in “Treasure” to the broader context of rising far-right movements and their discriminatory ideologies, which are not limited to anti-Semitic discourse but extend to Islamophobia, racism, and transphobia. According to Dunham, the aim of these ideologies is to dehumanize and marginalize individuals based on their identities, a struggle that, regrettably, persists globally.
Another powerful feature making its debut at the Berlinale, “From Hilde, With Love,” stars Liv Lisa Fries of the “Babylon Berlin” fame. The film presents the true story of Hilde Coppi, a courageous member of the Red Orchestra resistance group against the Nazis. The narrative follows Coppi as she endures imprisonment and the threat of execution while steadfastly upholding her values and giving birth to her son behind bars. Director Andreas Dresen, who grew up in communist East Germany, deliberately avoided overused Nazi-era imagery in order to deliver a message that resonates with the contemporary dangers of political extremism.
These compelling premieres come amid intense debates over the Berlinale’s invitation policies for politicians from the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). The festival initially planned to invite elected AfD officials to its prestigious events but later retracted the invitations after a damning revelation about the party’s discussions of mass deportations. The Berlinale’s decision to exclude AfD members underscored its commitment to principles of empathy and understanding, although the move sparked discussions about the limits of democratic culture.
As the festival unfolds, Kenyan-Mexican actor Lupita Nyong’o, who makes history as the Berlinale’s first black jury president, addressed the controversy. She expressed relief at not having to face the dilemma of attending the opening ceremony alongside far-right representatives, highlighting the moral complexities that often accompany such high-profile cultural events.
In the shadow of Berlin’s storied past, the Berlinale stands as a beacon of introspection and social conscience, offering a platform for filmmakers to confront the ghosts of history and the troubling currents of modern political life. The festival’s courageous spirit in tackling these issues positions it not only as a leader in the cinematic world but as a vital contributor to cultural and political discourse.
