10/02/2025 - Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay's sophomore feature will premiere in Panorama while the documentary Circusboy will bow in Generation, and six additional titles are featured on the German firm's slate

UPDATE (10 February 2025): Pluto Film has also taken its first leap into production with a new project, bearing the working title The Melting Mood of Ecstasy. The project is a queer drama by Berlin-based director Julian Dieterich, who will be making his feature debut. The film follows Navid, a queer sex worker who undergoes an incident that changes his appearance, which then requires him to deal with the competing attention of multiple parties. The Melting Mood of Ecstasy landed financing in December 2024 and is scheduled for release in 2026.

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German international sales agent Pluto Film is showcasing an exciting line-up of eight titles at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (13-23 February) and the European Film Market (EFM, 13-19 February). The slate includes one world premiere in the Panorama section, two brand-new documentaries and five previously premiered works, offering a rich variety of narratives that range from thought-provoking dramas to captivating documentaries.

Pluto Film’s line-up is headlined by the German political thriller Hysteria [+see also:
film review
interview: Devrim Lingnau
interview: Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay
film profile], directed by German-Turkish filmmaker Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay. The film celebrates its world premiere in the Panorama section and is the director’s second feature after his acclaimed debut, Oray [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay
film profile]. Hysteria unfurls a tense and layered narrative centred on Elif, a 24-year-old intern on a film set, who finds herself caught in a web of chaos and conspiracy after the burning of a Quran disrupts the production. Starring Devrim Lingnau and Mehdi Meskar, the film delves deep into themes of truth, lies and racism, while reflecting Büyükatalay’s powerful, personal storytelling.

Pluto Film is also presenting two compelling documentaries at the Berlinale. Circusboy [+see also:
film review
interview: Julia Lemke, Anna Koch
film profile], directed by Julia Lemke and Anna Koch, is a heart-warming family film about 11-year-old Santino, a child of the circus, who shares an extraordinary bond with his 80-year-old great-grandfather, one of Europe’s last great circus directors. The film captures their life on the road, filled with stories of friendship, farewells and new beginnings, offering an intimate glimpse into the nomadic lifestyle of modern-day circus families. The German film will have its world premiere in the Generation K+ section. In addition, The Underground Railroad, a transformative documentary series by Finbarr Wilbrink and Martijn Bleekendaal, follows the filmmakers - one black, one white - on a road trip across the USA, along the old tracks of the Underground Railroad. The series delves into political polarisation and racial divisions, seeking insights from people they meet along the way to reflect on how to transcend these barriers. The Dutch documentary series will have its market premiere at the EFM.

Sticking with the documentaries on Pluto Film’s slate, The Jacket [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Mathijs Poppe
film profile] by Mathijs Poppe is a poetic documentary that portrays the resilience and creativity of Palestinian refugees in Beirut’s Shatila camp. The film follows Jamal Hindawi, a political theatre artist who channels the struggles of his community into his work. Also among Pluto Film's showcase is Sima’s Song [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], Roya Sadat’s poignant historical drama, which celebrated its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Set in both present-day Afghanistan and the politically turbulent late 1970s, the film interweaves the lives of Suraya, an elderly activist, and her granddaughter, Sima. A melodic rubab performance bridges the past and present, uncovering stories of resilience, oppression and women’s fight for freedom.

Pluto Film will also be brandishing Breathing Underwater [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Eric Lamhène, Rae Lyn Lee
film profile], a profound drama directed by Eric Lamhène, which premiered at the Warsaw International Film Festival. The film follows Emma, a woman escaping an abusive relationship, who finds refuge in a women’s shelter. Amid the shared struggles of the diverse inhabitants, a strong bond of sisterhood develops, guiding them all on a path of healing and allowing them to reclaim their strength. Additionally, Pluto Film presents Egil Pedersen’s debut feature, My Father’s Daughter [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], which had its world premiere at Toronto. The film explores the poignant coming-of-age story of Elvira, a confident Sámi teenager whose world is shaken when she discovers the truth about her father’s identity. Amidst the majestic landscapes of Norway’s northernmost region, Elvira’s daydreams about her elusive father take an unexpected turn when he steps back into her life.

Finally, Pluto Film wraps up the slate with Xiaoxuan Jiang’s debut feature, To Kill a Mongolian Horse (watch our interview), which transports audiences to the wintry steppes of Inner Mongolia. Here, Saina, a herdsman by day and horseback performer by night, confronts the dramatic transformation of a world he once knew. Through breathtaking cinematography and assured direction, Jiang offers a nuanced and intimate portrait of masculinity in crisis. To Kill a Mongolian Horse premiered in Venice’s Giornate degli Autori and was awarded the Authors Under 40 Award – Special Mention for Best Directing and Screenwriting.