BERLINALE WATCH

Director Tina Satter presents a snapshot of recent US history that derives all of its tension from the gravity of the situation. The strong imagery and subtle direction of the actors in this drama places it on the cusp of documentary. This enables an unobstructed view of the events of that day – before they became a case that was to polarise the press, the general public and politics.

Director: Tina Satter

Country: USA

Producers: Noah Stahl, Brad Becker-Parton, Riva Marker, Greg Nobile

World Sales: mk2 Films

Here is a Romeo and Juliet, set against the backdrop of a divided America, in the key of a folk ballad which, refracted through an operatic setting, casts its own narrative into elaborate perspective. For anyone who, like Captain Katrina, has been advised to abstain from romantic films, She Came to Me offers a great opportunity to renew their addiction.

Director: Rebecca Miller

Country: USA

Producers: Damon Cardasis, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon, Rebecca Miller, Len Blavatnik, Anne Hathaway, Cindy Tolan, Ged Dickersin

World Sales: Protagonist Pictures

On Feb 24, 2022 while Sean Aaron Penn and Kaufman were filming in Kyiv, Putin’s invasion took the world by storm. As explosions rocked the city, they became inadvertent front-row witnesses to this historic “David and Goliath” struggle. Penn conducted the first of multiple interviews with Zelensky on the night of the invasion and, deeply affected by what he witnessed in Kyiv and during the film team’s journey to the border, became an unofficial ambassador for Ukraine and its unlikely leader

Director: Sean Penn, Aaron Kaufman

Country: USA

Producers: Billy Smith, Sergei Bespalov, Danny Gabai, Lauren Terp

World Sales: Fifth Season