The weather is cooling down, the leaves are starting to turn, and there’s no better way to embrace it than by heading to the Kino. From a homage to the pioneers of film at under-the-radar cinema filmkunst66, to the city-wide filmPOLSKA series and a celebration of all things goth and gore at Zoo Palast’s Fantasy Filmfest. This September, cinephiles will find plenty to keep them entertained.
Early Masters of Film Arts
In August, Charlottenburg indie kino filmkunst66 launched its ‘Early Masters’ series, a chance to catch some of cinema’s early pioneers (“from the twenties to the sixties”) on the silver screen once a week. Last month honoured Italian director Michelangelo Antonioni, and now, for September, two other great auteurs will grace the screen. Filmkunst66 is going alphabetically, so they’re starting the Bs – but these are no B-listers. First, the Swedish master of existentialist smoke and mirrors Ingmar Bergman, with Smiles of a Summer Night (1955), The Seventh Seal (1957) and Wild Strawberries (1957) – expect intense family dynamics and shadows of emotion.
Then there’s the work of Luis Buñuel, the surrealist Spanish mischief-maker of the screen. You can catch Viridiana (1961) and The Exterminating Angel (1962), where comedy and drama meet in an unhinged and beautiful way. It’s incredible that Bergman and Buñuel made all these works in such a short space of time, as their influence on cinema is undeniable. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of classic film or a first-timer, this is a wonderful opportunity to cut through the noise of endless streaming content and (re)visit some of cinema’s influential legends.
- filmkunst66, Bleibtreustr. 12, Charlottenburg, every Sunday (times vary), details.
filmPOLSKA
Billed as the biggest festival for Polish film outside of Poland, filmPOLSKA is returning for its 19th year. While they’ll continue to showcase emerging Polish directors, the festival will also show short films, a retrospective on the Warsaw Uprising alongside an exhibition, and various other enticing events. Notably, there has been a generational shift in leadership, with Natalia Zuch, a Berlin-based documentary filmmaker and curator, taking over as the main curator after Polish curator Kornel Miglus’ retirement.
There has been a newfound focus on strengthening ties between filmPOLSKA and other festivals in Middle- and Eastern Europe, and at this edition there will be special attention committed to this. Be sure to check out the collaboration with HER Docs, a feminist documentary film festival out of Warsaw showcasing a femme-driven range of perspectives and voices in the world of cinema. This is most definitely one of the most interesting and engaging Berlin film events on the calendar in 2024.
- Various locations, Sep 11-18, details.
Fantasy Filmfest
It’s back for its 38th edition and bigger than ever: Fantasy Filmfest offers up eight days of all things dark, surreal, cerebral and underground. On their website, organisers are sharing fun behind-the-scenes facts about the curation of the festivals, including one that tickled me: “In retrospect almost incomprehensible: hour-long discussions by the selection team whether Donnie Darko has enough genre elements to fit in with the festival.” Oh how much has changed in cinema since the days of Donnie Darko.
Personally, I’m looking forward to watching enigmatic Scot James McAvoy in Speak No Evil. This American psychological thriller was written and directed by James Watkins, whose superb Eden Lake (2008) is an unsung contemporary classic (and opened the festival upon release). Speak No Evil is a remake of the 2022 Danish film about a couple invited on an eerie weekend holiday in the country. There’s also the Cannes smash hit The Substance with Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid, offering a contemporary take on the beloved body-horror subgenre that had, since the 80s, fallen into obscurity and is slowly being reinvigorated. But that’s just a small taste of what’s on offer if you make attending a reality.
- Zoo Palast, Hardenbergstr. 29A, Charlottenburg, Sep 4-11, details.
Green Border in Conversation
A screening of Agnieszka Holland’s film Green Border at independent cinema Sputnik Kino will certainly be an evening of moving and inspiring discussion. Holland’s 2023 film sheds light on ongoing immigration policies in Belarus, the response of the Polish government and the clash created in the wake. Holland explores the use of people as weapons through riveting character-driven narrative. The film sparked controversy in Poland upon its release, so this is a special opportunity to join the conversation. Following the screening, a human rights lawyer will delve into migration law in Europe, providing a platform for further dialogue on these pressing issues.
- Sputnik Kino, Hasenheide 54/5th, Kreuzberg, Sep 21 (17:30), details TBC.
Down Under Film Festival
For those wondering what goes on in Australia and New Zealand when it comes to film, this festival will give you a slice here in Berlin. You can find a showcase of excellent feature-length films alongside panel talks and masterclasses. The slate this year is diverse, with large-budget festival flicks garnering just as much buzz as student films, across all genres and perspectives.
The festival – which has been running since 2011 – has a keen focus on ensuring that First Nations and Māori storytellers have plenty of representation within the programming. As so few Australian and New Zealand films make it to the European market, it’s a great chance to understand a little more about their distinct storytelling, humour and perspective. And if you fancy flexing your acting chops, acclaimed Australian-in-Hollywood director Kim Farrant (The Weekend Away, Strangerland) will be hosting an advanced masterclass that promises to be illuminating for those interested in drama, directing or just opening up one’s inner self a little more.
- Moviemento, Kottbusser Damm 22, Kreuzberg & City-Kino Wedding, Centre Français de Berlin, Müllerstr. 74, Wedding, Sep 26-29, details.
