21.01.2025 | Two MOIN films in competition
No fewer than four North German productions will be shown in this year's 75th Berlinale programme - two of them even in the Competition: the drama "Yunan" by Hamburg Director Ameer Fakher Eldin with Hanna Schygulla, Sibel Kekilli and Tom Wlaschiha was shot on a Hallig in Schleswig-Holstein. The international co-production "Mother's Baby" by filmmaker Johanna Moder was shot in the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, among other locations.
The German-Polish co-production Letters from Wolf Street will celebrate its world premiere in the "Panorama" section. Directors and script are by Arjun Talwar from Hamburg. The documentary short film Guochang/ Obsthof by HFBK graduate Nana Xu will screen in the "Forum".
The opening of the 75th Berlinale will also be broadcast live in Hamburg's Zeise cinemas on Thursday evening, 13 February.
Helge Albers, CEO of MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein: "A Hallig in the capital! With two films in the Competition, a Documentary in the Panorama section and a short film in the Forum, we are very proud of the productions we are supporting at the 75th Berlinale. We are keeping our fingers crossed for the race for the Golden Bear and are looking forward to four North German world premieres!"
MORE ABOUT THE FILMS
Yunan
In the drama "Yunan" by Hamburg-based Directors and Script Writer Ameer Fakher Eldin, Munir seeks solitude on a remote island to reflect on the last act of his life. He finds unexpected solace in the company of Valeska, whose compassion revives his dwindling courage to face life. The cast includes Hanna Schygulla, Georges Khabbaz, Sibel Kekilli and Tom Wlaschiha. The film was shot over 14 days on a Hallig in Schleswig-Holstein and eight days in Hamburg. Executive Producer is Dorothe Beinemeier with her Hamburg-based company Red Balloon Film. The film received 400,000 euros in production support from the MOIN Film Fund.
Mother's Baby
Director Johanna Moder and her team shot the film in Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie concert hall, among other locations. The prominent cast of "Mother's Baby" includes Hamburg actor Hans Löw, "The Square" star Claes Bang and leading actress Marie Leuenberger. What is the film about? The successful conductor Julia and her partner are longing for a child when the doctor Dr Vilfort gives them hope. After successful treatment at his clinic, Julia becomes pregnant. But the birth turns out differently than expected and the baby is taken away immediately. Julia is left in the dark about what has happened. When she finally receives the child, she feels strangely distanced. The film by Freibeuter Film from Austria in collaboration with The Match Factory from Cologne received 150,000 euros in production support from the MOIN Film Fund.
Letters from Wolf Street
In the German-Polish co-production "Letters from Wolf Street", a street in the centre of Warsaw becomes a kaleidoscope of Polish society. Directors and script of the Inselfilm production are by Arjun Talwar from Hamburg, who is also in charge of the camera. Part of the post production will also take place in the Hanseatic city. The Documentary was supported by the MOIN Film Fund with 30,000 euros in production.
Guochang / Obsthof
For "Obsthof", HFBK graduate Nana Xu travelled to the place that her father built as a prisoner during the Cultural Revolution. First labour camp, then prison, farm, treatment centre. Conversations with the last witnesses in her homeland, which is characterised by a repressed past. The MOIN Film Fund has supported the HFBK graduation films of the year 2024 with a total of 140,000 euros.
BERLINALE OPENING IN THE ZEISE Kinos
This year, the opening of the Berlinale will be broadcast live and nationwide in selected cinemas on 13 February from 19:00 - in Hamburg, the Zeise Kinos will be there. Tickets and further information will be available shortly at zeise.de.
