Festival Diary Day 4

Premiere buzz at the Dokumentale: "Iris," a journey through the unique career of actress Iris Berben, celebrated its German premiere at the KantKino. Naturally, Iris Berben herself graced the red carpet. "I wouldn’t say I’m proud. I’m very content and grateful," says Berben when reflecting on her remarkable career. Some of it, she reflects, is down to hard work, but much of it is luck and the right encounters with people. The portrait film unfolds Berben’s more than five-decade career spanning film and television, from rock ’n’ roll to political activism, told as a dialogue between past and present, memory and presence. If you missed the premiere yesterday, don’t worry—you have another chance to catch this special film tonight.

There was even more cinematic excitement last night at the Lark. In the old S-Bahn archway, now a Berlin club and concert hall, the Dokumentale audience was treated to "Uncropped." The film tells the story of photojournalist James Hamilton, who worked for over four decades as a photographer in New York for various newspapers. His photos are world-famous, capturing stars like Patti Smith and Muhammad Ali. We were thrilled to have both Hamilton and director D.W. Young in attendance. "I was breaking all those rules, but for such good reasons," director Young said in a Dokumentale interview. Initially, he specifically did not want to make a film about New York or photography, but this unique project just fell into place.As is the mark of a great festival, the evening continued with a proper party following the screening. DJ INAT and Savy Sev spun tracks, helping us dance the night away.

We were also lucky enough to once again be mesmerized by Jamila, Rachel, and Faseeha, who stole our hearts with their rapping during the opening night. If you missed them in the cinema, make sure to watch “Sisterqueens” online!

These are our tips for a fantastical fifth day: 

Music as a Lifeline—Conversation, Performance, and Film 

Art, in all its forms, has a way of connecting us, but what does it mean to us? Why do we listen to music, or turn to art to express our deepest emotions? These are the questions we’ll be exploring today at our D’Salon event, “Music as a Lifeline”. Joining us will be extraordinary singer-songwriter Roxanne de’Bastianne (she’s live on Spotify—go ahead, give her a listen!) and Holocaust survivor Peter Pérez. Together, they’ll be talking about how music and storytelling have shaped their personal experience and understanding of history.

And that’s not all: Roxanne will be performing three deeply moving songs that she wrote in memory of her grandfather, who fled his home during World War II, and whose story she also jotted down in the captivating book “The Piano Player of Budapest”.

Afterwards, we will be screening “Pepi Fandango”, a road trip film in which Peter Pérez and his best friend take us on an unforgettable journey—one that celebrates life just as much as it confronts the past. Expect a full range of emotions and an experience you won’t soon forget.

October 14, Festival Center, 6.30 PM

Personal Privacy in the Digital Age

We’ve all felt it—the anxiety of losing something personal, whether it’s a diary, a photo, or a laptop. Imagine someone trying to blackmail you with your most private content. It’s a terrifying idea, right? 

How do you navigate the shock, the fear, and the reality of potentially being exposed on the internet? Today, we'll be delving into this sensitive topic with a screening of “My Sextortion Diary”. This film tackles the emotional and rational dilemmas that arise when your privacy is threatened. It’s an honest, raw, and ultimately empowering story that explores the question of how to regain control in a situation that feels utterly out of control. This is not just a film—it’s a conversation that needs to be had. 

October 14, 9pm, Sputnik Kino

See you at the festival!