Berlin Film Festival Chiefs Talk 2022 Edition: Industry Screenings Plan; Reduced Program; Rising Covid Cases In Germany

deadline.com:

It feels like yesterday that I was on the phone to Berlinale directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian following their pre-recorded video announcement of the 2021 festival program, the three of us casting an eye forward to the following year with the hope that this pandemic would finally be behind us.Instead, while the 2022 program unveiling was broadcast live this time (still no attending press), the Covid situation in Germany remains so uncertain that once again conversations are being dominated by how, and even if, this festival is going to take place, distracting from a line-up that boasts some stellar arthouse names.Those that do make it to Berlin for the event’s 72nd edition (February 10-16, with repeat screenings running until February 20) will be treated to new films from Claire Denis, making her debut in Berlin’s Competition, Hong Sang-soo, Ulrich Seidl, Rithy Panh, Peter Strickland, Bertrand Bonello, Andrew Dominik, Dario Argento and many more.It is a thoroughly indie affair, with only one film in the line-up from a studio (Universal’s The Outfit) and one from a streamer (Netflix’s Against The Ice).

That’s still an increase on last year’s tally of zero, and the Berlinale Series program has shows from both Amazon and HBO Max.For industry wavering on whether or not the trip to Germany is worth it, Rissenbeek discloses that the festival team are now planning for a series of industry-only screenings, so that attending execs don’t have to scrum for tickets, particularly as cinemas will be strictly limited to 50% capacities.Below, Rissenbeek and Chatrian walk us through their thoughts on this year’s edition and whether we could expect further restrictions from Germany’s regional governments in the coming