BERLINALE WATCH

Borris Becker was interviewed for this film in 2019 and again in 2022, just a few days before his sentencing. Fellow travellers also have their say – from the ironic Ion Tiriac to the witty John McEnroe. A journey of selfdiscovery about, by and with someone who loves the game.

Director: Alex Gibney

Country: UK, USA

Producers: John Battsek, Alex Gibney, Erin Edeiken, George Chignell

World Sales: Apple TV+

Margarethe von Trotta interweaves the times before and after the catastrophe. Her direction is frank, sober and elegant. Ronald Zehrfeld as the corpulent, pipe-smoking Frisch and Vicky Krieps (in the role of another cult figure after Empress Sisi) are the perfect match. This film is not about Bachmann’s fatal end, but about her hopes for love and respect, in literature, and in life.

Director: Margarethe von Trotta

Country: Switzerland / Austria / Germany / Luxembourg

Producers: Katrin Renz, Bady Minck, Bettina Brokemper, Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu

World Sales: The Match Factory

Vasilis Katsoupis’ feature film debut is an existential exploration of human needs and the value of art and luxury. Willem Dafoe is convincing in the role of the art thief left to his own devices and doing battle with a dream penthouse that turns into a nightmare.

Director: Vasilis Katsoupis

Producers: Giorgos Karnavas, Marcos Kantis, Dries Phlypo

Co-Producers: Jens Wolf, Neshe Demir, Bastie Griese, Peter Kreutz, David Claikens, Alex Verbaere

World Sales: Heretic, Schiwago Film, A Private View