When a new artistic director came to power in 2018 BerlinaleCarlo Satrian knew that his own red carpet photos would never be as brilliant as those in Cannes or Venice, but he promised that under his guidance Berlin Festival it would open the doors to world cinema without attachments and prejudices. Five years later, he can claim to have largely succeeded.

“More than ever, this year’s selection aims to be as open as possible to all forms of cinema. Animated and documentary films, comedies and melodramas, dramas and historical films, films based on great performances or directed by “natural” actors, each of the 18 titles has a unique voice to be heard. And behind these important stories – even if they are with a touch of melancholy – the beauty of the world still resonates,” said Satrian himself about the competition section of the 73rd Berlinale (16-26 / 2), which was announced yesterday, along with almost the rest event program.

There are indeed films from all over the world, but there is no shortage of star heroes, especially from Europe. Such are the ever-rising Franz Rogowski and Vicky Krips, the “charming” Louis Garrel and the inimitable Peter Dinklage. Jesse Eisenberg and Odessa Young, who starred in John Trengov’s Manodrome, as well as Helen Mirren (Golda) and Anne Hathaway (She Came to Me), will also take part in the Berlinale this year.

In Berlin, of course, there will be a fairly significant Greek presence. First, with “Inside” by Vassilis Katsoupis, a co-production of Greece, Germany and Belgium, which will premiere at the Panorama Berlinale. The script follows the adventures of a would-be art thief (Willem Dafoe) who, in an attempt to steal priceless works of art, finds himself trapped in a luxurious high-tech penthouse in New York City.

On the other hand, in the competition section there is “Music” by Angela Sanlek. The German director, previously awarded the Silver Ark for “I was at home, but…” presents this year “Music”, filmed (also) in our country, in which the Greek heretic also participates. producer. The film, which uses a modern version of the Oedipus myth, features several Greek actors such as Argyris Xafis, Marissa Triantafyllidou, Eleni Chalastani, Konstantinos Lainas and others.

Another well-known feature of the Berlinale is its pronounced political overtones. This year, this is confirmed by the importance given by the organization to two serious current issues: the ongoing war in Ukraine and the mobilization for women in Iran. Many topical films are presented in almost all sections of the festival. Among them, the out-of-competition Superpower, Sean Penn’s new documentary about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which features Volodymyr Zelensky among others, definitely stands out.