The Berlinale’s Generation whispers softly but shouts loudly

by Vassilis Economou

08/02/2021 - With 15 films across two competitions, the section goes beyond the obvious, the dominant and the loud, and includes new voices in its line-up

The Berlinale’s Generation whispers softly but shouts loudly

Nelly Rapp – Monster Agent by Amanda Adolfsson

A total of 15 films hailing from 17 countries have been selected for the Berlinale’s Generation – with eight world premieres and six debut features among them – and they will be presented in its two competitions, Kplus and 14plus. As usual, and despite the limited number of titles, the selection ranges from fiction feature films to animated and documentary formats.

Maryanne Redpath, head of Generation, stressed that the films are “an open invitation to go beyond the obvious, the dominant and the loud, and to take a closer look at what’s beneath the surface. They offer space and time to reflect upon the grandeur radiating from the diverse worlds that young people are experiencing, which is often signified by the little things that mark their paths. The films offer a break to life as we know it right now.”

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Starting with Generation Kplus, the focus is on strong-willed heroines in most of the films selected – six out of the total eight – and three of them are European co-productions. More precisely, in Barbara Kronenberg's debut feature, Mission Ulja Funk [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], a fast-paced road movie, the 12-year-old heroine is fascinated by space much more than her odd Russian-German family and their religious community, while in Nelly Rapp – Monster Agent [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Amanda Adolfsson, based on the successful Swedish series of children's books by author Martin Widmark, young Nelly decides to follow in her mother’s footsteps and protect the world from monsters, ghosts and Frankensteiners. Also, Hamy Ramezan's Any Day Now [+see also:
trailer
interview: Hamy Ramezan
film profile] is a refugee drama where 13-year-old Ramin and his family are being threatened with deportation from Finland at any moment, and he tries to make the most of life in the here and now.

As for the Generation 14plus selection, the seven films will dive into uncharted territories, with five of them being European co-productions. Bosnian-Canadian director Igor Drljača (The Stone Speakers [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) is bringing along The White Fortress [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Igor Drljača
film profile], which follows young Faruk, who is crushed between the dark world of his criminal cousins in Sarajevo and the discovery of love. Also, Stop-Zemlia [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Kateryna Gornostai
film profile], the debut feature by Ukrainian director Kateryna Gornostai, teeters between experienced and imagined reality, painting a multi-layered portrait of a young generation.

Combining live action with animated elements, in Ninjababy [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Kristine Kujath Thorp
interview: Yngvild Sve Flikke
film profile], Yngvild Sve Flikke follows Rakel’s inner conflict, as despite being six months pregnant, she doesn’t want to become a mother. Another transcendental film, The Fam [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Fred Baillif
film profile] by Frédéric Baillif, blends fictional and documentary elements in an episodic form of narration, following the life stories of young women who no longer have a real home with their own families. Finally, in the Danish documentary From the Wild Sea [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Robin Petré
film profile] by first-timer Robin Petré, the strong images she uses clearly depict the effects of climate change and human interference on nature.

It should be noted that the Generation international jury will decide on the award winners during the EFM (1-5 March), but the Crystal Bears of the children’s and youth jury, along with the prizes of the Generation international jury, will be awarded during the Berlinale Summer Special (9-20 June).

Here is the complete selection of the Berlinale’s Generation:

Generation Kplus

A School in Cerro Hueso - Betania Cappato (Argentina)
Any Day Now [+see also:
trailer
interview: Hamy Ramezan
film profile] - Hamy Ramezan (Finland)
Beans - Tracey Deer (Canada)
Last Days at Sea - Venice Atienza (Philippines/Taiwan)
Mission Ulja Funk [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Barbara Kronenberg (Germany/Luxembourg/Poland)
Nelly Rapp – Monster Agent [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Amanda Adolfsson (Sweden)
Short Vacation - Kwon Min-pyo, Seo Hansol (South Korea)
Summer Blur - Han Shuai (China)