Berlin & Beyond - FILMS & PROGRAM - Films

2019 FESTIVAL

The 23rd Berlin & Beyond Film Festival was highlighted with three full days and nights at San Francisco’s legendary Castro Theatre (March 8-10), a night of encores at Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley (March 11), and three evenings at the Goethe-Institut (March 12-14). Festival goers journeyed with us through a vivid program of films, crossing cultures, experiences, and vital topics, along with film talents present for engaging post-film discussions.

2019 AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS

Best Narrative Feature Premiere: Cloud Whispers
Best Narrative Feature Gala: 25 km/h
Best Documentary Feature: Chris the Swiss

PROGRAM GUIDE

Download the Official Program Guide (PDF, 4 MB)

25 km/h

Opening Night: Two estranged brothers see each other for the first time in 20 years at their father's funeral. As their tension eases, they decide to realize their boyhood dream of driving across Germany on mopeds.More ...

3 Days in Quiberon (3 Tage in Quiberon)

In a spa hotel, Romy Schneider – the biggest female star in Europe of her time, gives her last interview to two journalists.More ...

303

On the way from Berlin to Portugal in her rusty 303 camper van, young biology student Jule picks up hitchhiker Jan.More ...

As Green as it Gets (Grüner wird's nicht)

A gardener in a small Bavarian town faces bankruptcy. When his plane is about to be impounded, he grabs the control stick and flies away in an attempt to save his plane and himself.More ...

Berlin Excelsior

In a Berlin apartment, inhabitants hope that life gets better: A former escort, a former showgirl, a startup... But hardly anyone manages to evade falling victim to our success-oriented society.More ...

The Bra (Vom Lokführer, der die Liebe suchte)

A Cinderella story in the Caucasus. Train driver Nurlan embarks on a journey to find the owner of this perky piece of underwear.More ...

The Chairs Game (Reise nach Jerusalem)

Unlucky and broke 30-something Alice can't seem to meet the pressures of society. Her life is like musical chairs, and she can't seem to get a seat.More ...

The Cakemaker (Der Kuchenmacher)

A German pastry maker travels to Jerusalem in search of the wife and son of his dead lover.More ...

Chris the Swiss

In the midst of the Yugoslav Wars, Chris, a Swiss journalist is found dead under mysterious circumstances. His cousin decides to investigate his story.More ...

Cloud Whispers (Wer hat eigentlich die Liebe erfunden?)

60-year-old Charlotte leaves her husband behind at a pull-in station, says goodbye to her old life, and triggers a chain of events for her and her family.More ...

Exit

A Norwegian filmmaker, struggling to reconcile with her past, sets out to find others who have escaped extremist groups.More ...

Gundermann

A biopic of East German singer and writer Gerhard Gundermann and his struggles with music, life as a coal miner and his dealings with the STASI.More ...

A Jar Full of Life (Vielmachglas)

Youth 4 German Cinema Runner-up: Tragedy hits Maureen and pushes her to go on an adventure. While a ship to Antarctica waits at the harbor, how will she go with pennies in her pocket?More ...

Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver (Jim Knopf und Lukas der Lokomotiv führer)

Family Matinée: A new cinematic vision based on the famous novel by Michael Ende.More ...

Mountain Miracle - An Unexpected Friendship

Youth 4 German Cinema Winner: A girl struggling with asthma is taken to a clinic in South Tyrol. After escaping, she makes a new friend, and together they try to reach the peak of a miraculous mountain.More ...

Only God Can Judge Me (Nur Gott kann mich richten)

When Ricky gets out of jail, his buddy already has the next heist planned. But their sure-fire scheme soon turns into a cat-and-mouse game with crooked cop Diana.More ...

Sandstern

Oktay reunites with his parents after being under the guardianship of his grandmother in Turkey, and discovers an unexpected world.More ...

The Silent Revolution (Das schweigende Klassenzimmer)

A group of students decide to show their solidarity with the victims of the 1956 Hungarian uprising by staging two minutes of silence during lessons.More ...

This Crazy Heart (Dieses bescheuerte Herz)

When 30-ish rich kid Lenny has to take care of 15-year-old David, who's suffering from heart disease, it's the beginning of a wild adventure.More ...

The Waldheim Waltz (Waldheims Walzer)

Ruth Beckermann documents the process of uncovering former UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim's wartime past.More ...