87 Golden Bear Winning Films from Berlin

A yellow taxi navigates the lively streets of Tehran, picking up a diverse group of passengers. As they ride, each candidly shares their opinions with the driver – none other than filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who is also filming. Panahi's camera,…

Two determined Soviet partisans undertake a perilous mission to obtain essential supplies for their hungry fellow fighters. Their journey becomes more complicated when they find German soldiers have already taken over a nearby farm. Driven by the need to survive,…

This film recounts the events of January 30, 1972, in Northern Ireland, focusing on the civil rights protest march that tragically ended with British troops opening fire. It depicts the confrontation and the resulting loss of life.

Nathalie wants to open a boutique overseas but needs a lot of money. Facing a major funding problem, she and her boyfriend Eric, along with his friend Bruno, decide on a dangerous plan: tricking wealthy men. They seduce their targets…

In a rural farming town, a clever tobacco farmer schemes to control his rivals by seizing control of their water supply. The film shows how he secretly redirects water from other farms to his own, taking advantage of the land…

This story follows Jiu'er, who unexpectedly takes charge of a secluded winery after her husband, a man with leprosy, dies. In their close-knit community, she finds support in "my Grandpa," her secret lover and ally in building a new, women-led…

Can wealth buy influence? Xiang works tirelessly to run her sesame oil business. Her husband is irresponsible, and her son is naive. When Japanese investors offer funding to expand her business, Xiang gains the means to improve her social standing…

In Victorian England, the film centers on Henry Hobson and his family boot shop in Salford. A widower who runs his business with a harsh hand and enjoys the local pub, Hobson keeps his three daughters as unpaid workers. To…

After the war, soldiers from the Soviet Union, Great Britain, France, and the United States patrol Vienna as allies.

"C-for-Charlie" follows a U.S. Army rifle company through the brutal battle for Guadalcanal during World War II. The film shows their transformation from a surprising first landing into a fight for survival against relentless enemy forces, emphasizing their physical and…

In Paris, a woman hires a taxi driver to find her former lover. He is the father of her new baby, but he disappeared without giving her his address.

This comedy-drama tells the story of a Taiwanese-American man living a happy life with his American boyfriend in New York City. He devises a plan to satisfy his traditional parents by arranging a marriage of convenience for a Chinese woman,…

This film follows a young beaver as he works to protect his new family from dangers all around. He faces hungry predators, playful river otters, and the challenges of the approaching winter.

At a Roman prison, inmates prepare for a theatrical production of Shakespeare's *Julius Caesar*.

This film follows Geoffrey Chaucer as he writes *The Canterbury Tales*, his famous collection of stories. It shows what his world was like and how he created this important work. We travel through medieval England and meet a variety of…

Based on the anonymous 16th-century novel *Lazarillo de Tormes* (1554), the story follows Lazarillo, a young boy forced to survive by his cleverness after being sold into service to a succession of harsh employers.

Jay, a former musician who left his family behind, works as the head bartender at a popular London pub. He has a regular Wednesday appointment with a woman for explicit, largely non-verbal sexual encounters. His routine is disrupted when he…

A fur merchant from Italy travels to Sweden for the first time to participate in the annual fur auctions in Stockholm.

This film offers a raw look at a married couple having an affair in Milan. Their relationship is constantly deteriorating, marked by tense moments and unspoken frustrations. The film reveals the emotional struggles and weaknesses caused by infidelity. As they…

This biographical drama tells the story of Larry Flynt, the publisher of Hustler magazine, and his struggle to build a successful business while facing public criticism and personal difficulties. The film is set in the turbulent 1970s and shows how…

This Swedish film centers on Isak Borg, a retired doctor traveling from Stockholm to Lund for an honorary degree from his old university. He's joined by Marianne, his son's pregnant and unhappy wife, creating friction between them. Their road trip…

"Der Baader-Meinhof Komplex" is a film screenplay by Stefan Aust, a journalist for "Spiegel," based on his research for the non-fiction book of the same name. The film re-examines the controversial trial of RAF terrorists Baader, Meinhoff, Ensslin, and Raspe.…

Angela, an artist working at a diner, has her ordinary life changed by Pablo, a charming car thief with a troubled past. Despite their differences, they become intensely drawn to each other and begin a whirlwind romance. Together, they dive…

Inspired by Karl Marx's "Das Kapital," three men and a girl named Jugoslava aim to awaken the conscience of the working class and peasants. Confronted with widespread backwardness and low spirits, their revolution ultimately fails, and the girl is sacrificed…

Two shy individuals unexpectedly discover they're both experiencing the exact same dream each night. Confused and disbelieving, they're also a little unnerved by this odd connection. As they cautiously come to terms with this unusual coincidence, they attempt to replicate…

In a remote part of the eastern Black Sea, a six-year-old boy named Yusuf journeys through the woods, trying to understand his place in the world while searching for his missing father. His father, a beekeeper, has lost his entire…

A young girl named Chihiro finds herself in a bewildering world inhabited by spirits. After her parents are mysteriously transformed, she must find the strength within herself to rescue her family.

A prestigious organization is planning a grand banquet to honor a prominent fishing association. But unexpected problems and complications arise, forcing the organizers to fight to maintain appearances. Amidst these unforeseen challenges, the guests begin to consider the association's future…

A middle-aged man seeks connection through brief relationships with friends, a romantic partner, former acquaintances, and his teenage daughter, attempting to alleviate his solitude.

In Inner Mongolia, a young woman with a physical disability seeks a partner who can provide for both her and her husband, who also has a disability.

Elsa Lundenstein stands accused of murdering her lover, and the jury grapples with the evidence. As they deliberate, each member is deeply affected by their own past experiences, leading them to interpret the facts of the case in distinct ways.

A kind former teacher now writes letters for people who can't read or write. He meets a young boy struggling with the loss of his mother. They connect and set out to find the father the boy has never met.…

A notorious criminal fleeing the law seeks refuge in an abandoned beachfront fortress, bringing his seriously injured partner with him. The fortress owners are initially unwilling to help, but become unexpectedly entangled with the unwanted guests. As tensions rise, a…

In 1997, as the Pope prepares to visit Rio de Janeiro, Captain Nascimento of BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion) is tasked with neutralizing threats from drug dealers in a nearby, dangerous slum.

In 1930s Italy, a wealthy Jewish family enjoys a life of luxury in their grand villa, hosting lavish gatherings and leisurely activities. As Fascism gains power, anti-Semitism rises, disrupting their peaceful existence. The family's privileged world is threatened by the…

When his fiancée attempts suicide, a salaryman begins to tell the story of his family. He recounts a history of generations who endured hardship and made sacrifices for the benefit of their demanding masters.

Four men in a remote South American village are tasked with a perilous mission: transporting trucks filled with unstable nitroglycerin through a dangerous jungle to an oil field. The journey tests their courage as they face wild dangers and growing…

Dance tells three distinct stories.

Set in post-war Germany, the film follows the tragic story of film star Veronika Voss as she battles addiction under the control of Dr. Marianne Katz. The once-glamorous actress spirals into drug dependency, but a chance meeting with sports writer…

A promising young lawyer's life is upended when her father is accused of terrible war crimes. As she investigates his case, she discovers a complicated web of lies that tests her professional ethics and her relationship with him. The film…

The film tells a compelling story about Buffalo Bill's ambitious project to create a grand Wild West show. Surprisingly, Chief Sitting Bull agrees to participate. But Sitting Bull's cooperation hides a secret plan that connects the President, General Custer, and…

Kata, a woman in her middle years, deeply desires motherhood, but her partner Joska isn't supportive. She unexpectedly connects with Anna, a troubled orphaned teenager. As Kata navigates Anna’s adolescence and societal pressures, she begins a journey of self-discovery that…

Two ex-police officers team up to investigate a new wave of murders, reopening a case that previously ruined their careers.

In 1910, widowed Elinor Randall and her daughter Jerrine travel to a desolate part of Wyoming after Elinor accepts a housekeeper position with rancher Clyde Stewart. The work is harsh, and the isolation is intense, especially with the arrival of…

Seeking fresh ideas, celebrated city writer Kim Yesenin travels to the countryside. He's surprised to find a vastly different way of life. While there, he witnesses a passionate love story between the intellectual Sasha and Andrei, a dissident who is…

In a retirement home, a couple in their seventies develop a connection, but their budding romance faces disapproval from both the residents and the staff.

In Iran, where the legal system is harsh, this film explores the moral dilemmas faced by four men who must confront death sentences. The anthology follows their individual stories as they grapple with the weight of capital punishment.

The quiet town of Wetherby is shaken by the sudden death of a new, mysterious young man. His arrival had a significant effect on many residents, stirring up hidden feelings and anxieties. The story explores how this event unravels the…

In post-World War II Czechoslovakia, a drama unfolds about a group labeled as bourgeois by the Communist government and sent to work in a junkyard as punishment. They face hardship and unexpected connections while trying to survive in this difficult…

Sören Mårtensson is a middle school teacher, surrounded by his students' adolescence. His job is deeply troubling him, and he's plagued by nightmares when he sleeps.

In a world where justice is elusive, Gerry Conlon, a Belfast thief, becomes caught in a lie when he's accused of an IRA bombing while he's in London. British police relentlessly pressure him and his friends into confessing, leading to…

The film follows two cousins in Paris as they explore love and find themselves in the city's captivating atmosphere. Charles, a reserved law student from the countryside, moves in with his free-spirited cousin Paul and is introduced to a glamorous…

During the Purim festival, Hitler Youth members chant anti-Jewish slogans outside Rabbi Singer's home, but he remains hopeful about Germany's safety for his family and community. However, years later, his son David is barred from school simply because he is…

Following the Balkan war, a mother and daughter navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives.

The film documents life on Lampedusa, an Italian island directly impacted by the European migrant crisis.

Ascendancy, a 1983 British film, centers on a woman belonging to the British landowning Ascendancy in Ireland during World War I. She slowly becomes aware of the growing Irish independence movement and increasingly gets drawn into its activities.

This drama explores the complexities of identity through the story of two soldiers who become close friends while serving in World War I. Karl and Richard forge a bond during their time in a German POW camp. After a successful…

In the San Fernando Valley, a father nearing the end of his life, his young wife, a male caretaker, a famous son who has gone missing, a police officer with a secret love, a boy genius, a former boy genius,…

A married couple struggles with a painful choice: relocate their child to a new country for a better future, or remain in Iran to care for their aging parent who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

To escape his Israeli citizenship, a young man travels to Paris, relying on a Franco-Israeli dictionary for support.

U-CARMEN is a film adaptation of Georges Bizet's 19th-century opera, shot on location in a contemporary South African township. The vibrant atmosphere of township life provides a visually compelling backdrop for the story, which gained popularity through its blend of…

In post-World War II Berlin, a pregnant Polish refugee named Pauline searches for the boyfriend who left her. Forced to make an impossible choice, she sells her newborn child to a woman named Anna. After the baby's birth, Pauline resolves…

To escape her family, a young woman arranges a marriage with a forty-year-old addict. This arrangement unexpectedly sparks a passionate and jealous love.

The Adamant is an unusual day-care center. A floating building on the Seine in Paris, it provides care for adults with mental health challenges, focusing on stability and well-being. The staff strives to offer compassionate support, resisting what they see…

In 1943, the newly appointed Brahmin Gangacharan navigates a difficult life in a war-torn village. The constant sound of warplanes reminds everyone of the global conflict as Gangacharan tries to fulfill his duties teaching, leading religious ceremonies, and working to…

Child's Pose is a drama about a mother and her 32-year-old son. Following a car accident that results in the death of another boy, the mother desperately tries to shield her son from being held responsible. She struggles to accept…

When car dealer Charlie Babbitt learns his estranged father has died, he returns to Cincinnati and discovers he has a brilliant older brother named Raymond. Charlie learns his father's $3 million fortune is to be donated to Raymond's mental institution.…

"Grand Canyon" follows six Los Angeles residents with diverse backgrounds as their lives unexpectedly connect, revealing complexities in their personal and professional worlds. A central relationship develops between two men from different ethnicities and economic classes. When one faces danger…

A young Spanish-American man is on trial for his father's murder. The prosecution and defense present a seemingly clear case, but the jury's deliberations reveal a deeper story. The jurors, each carrying their own biases, must confront their prejudices as…

In the city of Alphaville, a powerful computer called Alpha 60 controls the citizens. Created by Professor Von Braun, the city is now devoid of emotion; people communicate only in code and have forgotten how to love. Lemmy Caution is…

Johanne develops feelings for her teacher and documents her thoughts and desires in writing. She discusses the possibility of publishing these writings with her mother and grandmother, exploring their potential as literature.

This film explores the reconnection of two estranged siblings after a long period apart. Both have dealt with difficult emotions, and their reunion allows them to face past traumas and understand their shared history. The story examines their complicated relationship,…

Göran, a recent high school graduate, and 17-year-old Kerstin meet at Göran's uncle Persson's estate and fall in love. Their relationship draws disapproval from the older generation. While Persson is accepting of their youth, Kerstin's parents and the local pastor…

In a small Catalan village, the Solé family's peach farmers gather each summer to harvest fruit from their orchard. Their close-knit community is threatened when plans are made to install solar panels, requiring the removal of trees and ultimately leading…

Michael Winterbottom's 'In This World,' inspired by real events, tells the story of Jamal, a young Afghan, and his cousin Enayat. They undertake a dangerous journey from a refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan, heading towards Italy. The pair walk into…

In the 19th century, French colonists seized thousands of royal artifacts from Dahomey, a kingdom in West Africa, to be displayed in Paris. Decades later, a small number were returned to Benin. This documentary follows the story of 26 of…

Duddy Kravitz, the son of working-class Jewish parents in Montreal, is determined to achieve success. The film follows his rapid and questionable climb to power, and how his relationships with family and friends evolve. It also examines issues of anti-Semitism…

A filmmaker and her subjects embark on a personal exploration of intimacy. The lines between reality and fiction blur as *Touch Me Not* follows Laura, Tómas, and Christian through their emotional journeys. Each character grapples with a desire for closeness…

Cinderella's determination to pursue her dreams leads her to leave a life of servitude for the world of high society. With help from her animal friends and a Fairy Godmother's magic, she undergoes a remarkable change, revealing her inner beauty.…

"The Silent Classroom" follows Emi, a committed teacher facing intense public criticism after a private video is leaked. The incident threatens her career and reputation, as parents call for her removal. Emi’s refusal to back down becomes a fight for…

Fausta is afflicted with a rare condition called the Milk of Sorrow, a disease passed through breast milk from mothers who experienced abuse during or shortly after pregnancy. Living with constant fear and disorientation because of this illness, she is…

Vic Brown struggles with his feelings for his coworker Ingrid Rothwell, oscillating between attraction and indifference. When Ingrid discovers she's pregnant, Vic is forced to confront the discrepancy between his expectations for the future and the reality unfolding before him.

A young Sicilian man moves to Wolfsburg, West Germany, hoping to find work. Facing poverty and few opportunities back home, he gets a job at the Volkswagen factory after a long train trip from Northern Italy. The film examines his…

Inspired by Camilo José Cela's novel, "La Colmena" portrays the somber atmosphere of Madrid in 1942, a city recovering from the Spanish Civil War. The film skillfully connects the lives of many people, showing the sharp difference between struggling poets…

A young Belgian man balances his passions for cars and hairdressing while striving to compete in a major racing event. The prize? A Porsche. He races against time to achieve this goal before his first race, all while developing a…