Auf Wiedersehen! A few thoughts on cinema, criticism, and politics surrounding this year’s Berlinale
Dora Leu and Flavia Dima were the Films in Frame correspondents at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival. From the scene, they noted that there is a palpable sense of angst in the industry, caused by the situation in Palestine and the lack of response from film institutions, in a Germany that refuses to react to the massacre in Gaza – culminating in one of the most controversial award ceremonies in the Berlinale history. The following discussion outlines an attempt to process this experience, to (re-)assess one's status as critics amid this context, as well as how cinema and its structures are reacting to a global political crisis. (For other perspectives that further address and examine the events at this year's festival, our colleagues also recommend the articles by critics Erika Balsom and Devika Girish in Film Comment).
Film critic & journalist. Collaborates with local and international outlets, programs a short film festival - BIEFF, does occasional moderating gigs and is working on a PhD thesis about home movies. At Films in Frame, she writes the monthly editorial - The State of Cinema and is the magazine's main festival reporter.
Graduated with a BA in film directing and a MA in film studies from UNATC; she's also studied history of art. Also collaborates with the Acoperisul de Sticla film magazine and is a former coordinator of FILM MENU. She's dedicated herself to '60-'70s Japanese cinema and Irish post-punk music bands. Still keeps a picture of Leslie Cheung in her wallet.
