Berlinale 2021: Most anticipated films

While we’re all discussing variations on new normality, the online festival has quietly become a staple of the film world.

As we watch major players like Cannes and the Sydney Film Festival move out of their traditional slots, banking on eased restrictions and increased film availability later in the year, other heavy hitters have gone hybrid. Sundance went online in January, and SXSW will follow suit in March.

The 71st Berlinale, like IFFR before it, has split its run. Starting online this week (March 1-5) for press and industry, it will be followed by screenings in selected cinemas in June (9-20) for the general public.

Read more: Asia in Focus at the Berlinale 2021

While the private press and industry screenings will allow the films to retain their premiere status when they finally arrive for the public, you’ll be seeing lots of coverage online throughout March. So, here we’ve taken a look at some of the unmissable debuts coming to our smaller screens at Berlinale.

For a full program and screening details, check out the official festival site. We look forward to covering the festival this year.

France, Dir: Céline Sciamma

Following the international success of Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Céline Sciamma’s fifth film returns to the delicate snapshots of childhood and isolation she chronicled in the likes of Pauline and Water Lilies. It follows eight-year-old Nelly who, following the death of her grandmother and the sudden departure of her mother, befriends a girl her own age in the woods. Expect to see this on all the lists this year.

South Korea, Dir: Hong Sang-soo

Recent international law has indicated that Hong Sang-soo must have a new film ready for every festival season. Partly shot in Berlin, the logline for Inteurodeoksyeon says something about a young man trying to find his way. This is starting to sound familiar! Cue Kim Minhee, alongside Shin Seokho, Park Miso, and other regular collaborators like Gi Ju-bong.

USA, Dir: Dan Lindsay, T.J. Martin

For those that only know Tina Turner from being covered in Schitt’s Creek, or her journeys beyond the Thunderdome, here is a documentary in which the iconic performer examines her entire career. The original HBO documentary gets the festival treatment, featuring interviews with Angela Bassett, Oprah Winfrey, journalist Kurt Loder, playwright Katori Hall, Tina’s husband Erwin Bach and, of course, the queen herself.

Japan, Dir: Ryûsuke Hamaguchi

Hamaguchi is a filmmaker practically made for festivals, from the 5-hour long Happy Hour (2016) to Asako I & II (2018). A kind of anthology containing three stories in one, he follows similar themes to his earlier films by following the intersecting lives and coincidences of women in love. Said to be divided into movements, like a piece of music, this sounds like a concept that will play to Hamaguchi’s strength of capturing the passing of time in relationships.

Hong Kong, Dir: Cheang Soi

This thriller, based on the novel Wisdom Tooth by China’s Lei Mi, stars Gordon Lam, Cya Liu, Mason Lee and Hiroyuki Ikeuchi. The director of the Monkey King series and SPL II has a cult following and we know from behind the scenes footage that this has at least one trash-based fight sequence. Count us in. In fact, this one has already been sold for international release in 2021.

USA, Dir: Natalie Morales

Filmed secretly under COVID lockdown conditions, Natalie Morales re-teams with Room 104 collaborator Mark Duplass. While both stars remain fairly tight-lipped about the actual plot of the film, we know that it’s a platonic love story that develops out of Spanish lesson, a personal tragedy and the longing for connection many felt over the last year. Also playing at SXSW, this has all the leanings of being the indiest indie of 2021.

Switzerland, Dir: Ramon Zürcher, Silvan Zürcher

There’s a lot of buzz around Das Mädchen und die Spinne. Or should that be spin? Set over the course of two days and two nights, and almost entirely indoors (much like the last 12 months), this film abstractly describes itself in terms of tone, movement, colour and an inescapable tension. The anticipation is killing us. We hope it lasts.

USA, Dir: Dasha Nekrasova

Following the theme of unravelling relationship and isolating apartments, Nekrasova directorial debut sees two women who’s lives start falling apart after they move into the apartment formerly owned by Jeffrey Epstein. Yup, this one is going to have some online chatter. With influences ranging from Italian “giallo” movies and 1970s psychological horror, this has ‘must-see’ written all over it.

Mexico, Dir: Alonso Ruizpalacios

This narrative/documentary hybrid, this Netflix original film follows two men who follow family tradition and join the police force only to have their illusions shattered. The third film from Alonso Ruizpalacios, it has been noted as the only Latin American film playing in competition this year. It’s a tough exploration of one of Mexico’s most well-known institutions, variously covered and sensationalised in film over the years.

Germany/Georgia, Dir: Alexandre Koberidze

The tale of two lovers who, after a chance encounter, are cursed to wake up each day looking completely different sounds like it could be an arty take on 50 First Dates. Yet Alexandre Koberidze is said to have infused this film with a “poetry of aimlessness.”