Berlinale 2019
People, Bears, Sensations – the Capital in a Film Frenzy

Berlin is energy. Berlin is adventure. Berlin is diversity. In short: Berlin is a bit of everything and anything but monotonous. The same also holds true for the Berlinale, which is rolling out the red carpet for the 69th time between 7th and 17th February – and once again attracting national and international guests as well as Hollywood greats such as Christian Bale. The film festival of superlatives keeps the city on its toes with eleven jam-packed days and all-night parties. Berlin’s star is now shining beyond the city’s boundaries and out into the whole (film) world.

Golden Gloves and Die Toten Hosen

With a total of 500,000 cinema-goers, the 69th Berlinale once again takes cinema-hungry fans from all over the world on a cinematic journey of discovery right through the international film landscape. Over 400 films from 74 countries, covering a wide range of topics. And highly topical: they tackle gender equality, child exploitation, the erosion of traditional family patterns, food in this age of globally-operating agriculture and food corporations, as well as the working environment of the future. Added to this are portraits of artists – from Brecht to PJ Harvey right up to Die Toten Hosen. However, the program also includes horror thrillers such as Fatih Akins’ “The Golden Glove”. As one of 16 competition films, he is fighting for the much coveted bears and the favour of the jury, chaired by Oscar winner Juliette Binoche.

A Hollywood-Ready Appearance

Just like in 2018, ROLF BENZ is once again “Official Supplier” to the Berlin International Film Festival. As well as the Berlinale VIP Club (“Dieter Kosslicks’ living room”), the lounge areas in the Potsdamer Platz arcades and the Berlinale Rooftop Café offering breath-taking panoramic views of the city, the Audi Berlinale Lounge and the two exclusive Partner Lounges in the Berlinale Palast are presented in the unmistakeably clear ROLF BENZ design language.

Carefully curated interior design incorporating the comfortable Rolf Benz NUVOLA modular sofa, the armchairs in the 383 and 384 ranges or the 950 cube seat characterise the lounge atmosphere of the locations, creating a casual feel-good atmosphere that invites you to stay a while and relax. “We are pleased that we can now welcome our national and international guests also to the Partner Lounges in the Berlinale Palast in proper style with furniture from Rolf Benz,” says Kathrin Schafroth, Head of Sponsorship of the Berlin International Film Festival. 

Berlinale Up Close

The two Partner Lounges in the Berlinale Palast and the two-storey Audi Berlinale Lounge offer a perfect view of the red carpet. This is, without a doubt, the most relaxing way to watch the hustle and bustle of the Berlinale. Whereas the Audi Berlinale Lounge is accessible to the public and offers a varied program ranging from yoga sessions to interesting talks and evening parties, the two Partner Lounges serve as an exclusive meeting point for the sponsors and invited festival guests.

You can still breathe in the Berlinale air even if you’re not on the red carpet. After all, we’re talking about a total of 35 venues, spread out across the entire city. Why not provide a stylish ambience at the “branches” of the Berlinale, they wondered at ROLF BENZ. No sooner said than done: raise the curtain on probably the most beautiful cinema seat in the world (Rolf Benz 384) and the brilliantly refurbished venues of Filmtheater am Friedrichshain, Odeon, Zoo Palast, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Haus der Berlinale Festspiele and also HAU Hebbel am Ufer.

Thanks Dieter, Thanks Berlin

After 18 successful and eventful years, Festival Director Dieter Kosslick will take off his hat – and scarf – at the end of the 69th Berlinale and pass, in his own words, “the best job in the world” on to his successors, Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian. We wish the new co-managers much success and say thank you, Dieter, for 18 inspirational years!

Speaking of the winds of change: seven of the 16 competition films that are expected to win awards or bears are the work of female directors. That’s a record level. And also a clear, important signal for the future. Berlin has recognised the signs of the time. And that’s a good Thing.