26th Berlin & Beyond Film Festival: March 11-16, 2022; San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Berkeley

Berlin & Beyond Returns to the Castro, San Francisco

A momentous occasion for this 26th edition is Berlin & Beyond's return to San Francisco's iconic movie palace, the Castro Theatre, for a 3-day weekend with special premieres and film guests from March 11th-13th.

Followed by evenings at the Aquarius Theatre in Palo Alto on March 14th, Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley on March 15th, and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (a first-time collaboration) on March 16th.

Festival 2022

SHOWCASE

Opening Night Film
Next Door (Nebenan)
Dir. Daniel Brühl –– Germany | 2021 | 93 min.
West Coast Premiere

Berlin, the Prenzlauer Berg district. Daniel is a movie star accustomed to success. His loft apartment is stylish and so is his wife, and the nanny has the children under control. Everything is tip-top, bilingual and ready for him to jet off to an audition in London where a role in an American superhero film awaits the celebrated German-Spanish actor. Popping into the local bar on the corner, he finds Bruno sitting there. As transpires by the minute, Bruno has been waiting for this moment for a long time, with Daniel as his target.
Official Selection: Berlinale 2021 (Competition)
In German and some Spanish and English, with English subtitles
Starring: Daniel Brühl and Peter Kurth
View Clip

Centerpiece Film
Dear Thomas (Lieber Thomas)
Dir. Andreas Kleinert –– Germany | 2021 | 150 min.

North American Premiere
The GDR is still young, but Thomas Brasch (Albrecht Schuch) doesn’t fit in already. His father Horst (Jörg Schüttauf) wants to help build the new German state above all, but Thomas, his eldest son, would rather become a writer. Thomas is a dreamer, obsessive and a rebel. When the Soviet tanks roll through Prague in 1968, Brasch protests with his girlfriend Sanda (Ioana Jacob) and other students in the streets of Berlin. His own father betrays him to the Stasi, sending him to prison. Released on parole, Brasch works hard, and writes about love, revolt, and death. With no prospect of being heard in the GDR, Thomas and the woman he loves (Jella Haase) leave the homeland that never was his. In the West he is acclaimed and his books become bestsellers. But Brasch does not allow himself to be taken in. He is far from being at peace.
Official Selection: Munich 2021 and Winner of Best Film at Tallinn Black Nights 2021
In German and English with English subtitles
Starring: Albrecht Schuch and Jella Haase
View Trailer

Castro Closing Night Film
Precious Ivie (Ivie wie Ivie)
Dir. Sarah Blaßkiewitz –– Germany | 2021 | 117 min.
US Premiere

Two Afro-German half-sisters who never met before, get closer through their father’s death, search their roots and find themselves.
Official Selection: Munich 2021 and Winner of Best Supporting Actress at German Film Awards 2021 for Lorna Ishema
In German and English with English subtitles
Starring: Haley Louise Jones and Lorna Ishema
View Trailer

Feature Films & Documentaries

Ticket Info

Festival Schedule, and Purchase Tickets

Health & Safety Measures