I’ve been in Berlin for nearly ten days now and this year’s festival is coming to a close. We’ve covered tons of movies, attended a bunch of press conferences, mingled with Meryl (well, nearly), and met a whole bunch of cool people from around the world.
Ahead of tonight’s main awards, which will see Meryl Streep and her jury hand out awards to the best film, the best actress, best actor etc, via Silver/ Golden Bears, I thought I’d recount my top ten movies from Berlinale. They are, of course, not definitive in any way; its just my opinion.
We’ll bring you news of the main awards as they are announced later this evening.
10. Goat – Dir. Andrew Neel
I saw this late one night, actually at its Panorama premiere. An intense drama from the US, fresh from Sundance, that features a breakthrough performance from Nick Jonas. [Full Review]
9. War On Everyone – Dir. John Michael McDonaugh
I gave this one five stars on day one, and I stick by that, even if I may be in the minority. A super off-beat movie which is absolutely hilarious, with another superb performance by Michael Pena. [Full Review]
8. The Commune – Dir. Thomas Vinterberg
I adored Thomas Vinterberg’s latest movie, a semi-autobiographical tale that features a stand-out performance from Trine Dyrholm. Funny, heartfelt, intimate and genuinely moving. [Full Review]
7. A Quiet Passion – Dir. Terence Davies
Terence Davies’ intricate portrait of Emily Dickinson again shifts towards the list purely because of the superb screenwriting, excellent direction, and a brilliant performance by Cynthia Nixon. A contender for Oscar 2017? [Full Review]
6. Little Men – Dir. Ira Sachs
Ira Sachs does it again with this superb tale of a summer in Brooklyn where two young lads become friends, and unite in protest at a rent dispute that their parents are having to deal with. [Full Review]
5. Midnight Special – Dir. Jeff Nichols
It screened on day two of the festival, but Jeff Nichols’ genre-bending Midnight Special makes into the top five as a great all-rounder. Great script, great direction, great performances = great movie. [Full Review]
4. Saint Amour – Dir. Benoît Delépine, Gustave Kervern
Definitely the funniest film of the festival,and probably the best time I’ve had at the cinema in the last twelve months. A genuine crowd-pleaser. [Full Review]
3. Fire At Sea – Dir. Gianfranco Rosi
The most important film playing at Berlinale ’16, and of course, one of the best. A captivating film looking at the refugee crisis on a Mediterranean island, and the permanent inhabitants that also dwell there. [Full Review]
2. Things To Come – Dir. Mia Hansen-Løve
An essential watch at Berlinale ’16, and Isabelle Huppert probably has the Best Actress gong going her way. An intimate portrait of love, lost love and loneliness. A true highlight. [Full Review]
1. 24 Weeks – Dir. Anne Zohra Berrached
I make 24 Weeks the top of my list purely for the way that it effected me. An absolutely catastrophic, intimate journey into the lives of a German couple who have perhaps the biggest choice of their lives to make. Another brilliant performance from lead actress, and former Golden Bear winner Julia Jentsch. [Full Review]
** Notable mentions: Genius, Miles Ahead, Zero Days, Maggie’s Plan, The Ones Below, United States Of Love.
As stated above, this isn’t the definitive list, just my opinion. I haven’t seen every movie – there are 400 playing at Berlinale this year – but I did get 30+ in, which isn’t bad in ten days. I hope you’ll give these ago as most will arrive in cinemas in 2016.
Be sure to check out our full coverage of Berlinale ’16 over here, and be sure to check back later tonight for the official winners of those Golden Bears.
