German international sales agent Films Boutique is bringing a varied selection of films to the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (13-23 February) and the accompanying European Film Market (EFM, 13-19 February). The line-up consists of a world premiere in the Berlinale Competition, three EFM market premieres, and a selection of powerful narrative films and documentaries that range from intimate dramas to visually stunning non-fiction explorations.

Leading the showcase is Girls on Wire, the latest feature by Chinese filmmaker Vivian Qu (Angels Wear White [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Vivian Qu
scheda film]). This gripping drama-thriller marks Qu’s return to the Berlinale, and is premiering in competition. The film follows cousins Tian Tian and Fang Di, once inseparable but now estranged owing to family hardships. Fang Di, now a stuntwoman, is burdened with debt, while Tian Tian, left behind, struggles with her father’s addiction and the growing threat of the local mafia. Forced to flee, she reunites with her cousin, and together, they embark on a perilous journey of survival and resilience. The movie stars Liu Haocun, Wen Qi, Zhang Youhao and Zhou You.

Also making its mark at the EFM is DJ Ahmet [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Georgi M. Unkovski
scheda film], the debut feature by Georgi M Unkovski, which has just premiered and won two awards at Sundance (see the news). A coming-of-age tale set in a remote Yuruk village in North Macedonia, the film follows 15-year-old Ahmet, who finds solace in music while facing his father’s strict expectations and his first heartbreak. Another market premiere and Sundance film is Where the Wind Comes From [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Amel Guellaty
scheda film], the debut feature by Tunisian filmmaker Amel Guellaty. The film follows two lifelong friends, the fearless Alyssa and introspective artist Mehdi, who embark on a whimsical yet challenging journey across Tunisia in search of an artistic breakthrough.

Expanding its non-fiction selection, Films Boutique is also showcasing Afternoons of Solitude [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Albert Serra
scheda film], the latest project by Albert Serra (Pacifiction [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Albert Serra
scheda film]). This immersive documentary captures the enigmatic world of bullfighting through the lens of star matador Andrés Roca Rey, delving into the intricate balance between beauty and brutality inherent in the art form. The film premiered at San Sebastián, where it won the Golden Shell. Further enriching the line-up is Wishing on a Star [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Peter Kerekes
scheda film], the latest documentary by Peter Kerekes (107 Mothers [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Peter Kerekes
scheda film]), which takes audiences on a journey through the practice of astrological travel. The film follows Luciana, a Neapolitan astrologer who helps her clients reshape their destinies by travelling to specific locations on their birthdays.

Films Boutique also focuses on powerful storytelling with January 2 [+leggi anche:
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scheda film], directed by Zsófia Szilágyi (One Day [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Zsófia Szilágyi
scheda film]), which intimately portrays a woman’s struggle with separation and self-reinvention through the lens of seven car trips, each reflecting a different emotional stage of her journey. Finally, Tarika [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Milko Lazarov
scheda film] by Bulgarian director Milko Lazarov (Ága [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Milko Lazarov
scheda film]) rounds off the catalogue. The film follows a young girl burdened by a rare bone condition that fuels local superstitions. Living in isolation near the border with her father and grandmother, Tarika becomes the subject of suspicion when a mysterious disease begins affecting the village’s cattle.