“Yellow Letters” wins top prize at Berlin Film Festival amid political debate

BERLIN: The Berlin International Film Festival closed on a highly emotional and politically charged note, with “Yellow Letters”, directed by İlker Çatak, winning the prestigious Golden Bear for Best Film.

The Turkish-language drama, set in Germany, follows a married couple, played by Ozgu Namal and Tansu Bicer, whose lives are turned upside down when the husband is targeted by Turkish authorities over his online political views. The couple is forced to leave behind their careers and comfortable life, highlighting how political pressure can deeply affect personal relationships.

A festival marked by political voices

Accepting the award, Catak delivered a strong message, warning about rising authoritarianism and urging unity against political extremism. His speech reflected the broader tone of this year’s festival, which was marked by intense political discussions.

This marks the first time in over two decades that a German film has won the Golden Bear, the festival’s highest honour.

The closing ceremony itself became a platform for political expression, with several filmmakers speaking out on global issues, particularly the war in Gaza.

Filmmaker Abdallah Alkhatib, who won Best First Feature for “Chronicles From the Siege”, criticized both Israel’s actions and the German government’s stance. His remarks sparked emotional reactions in the audience, prompting host Désirée Nosbusch to call for respectful dialogue.

Other winners, including Marie-Rose Osta and Turkish director Emin Alper, also used their speeches to highlight global conflicts and human rights concerns.

Meanwhile, actress Sandra Hüller, who won Best Leading Performance for “Rose”, thanked fellow artists for “speaking truth,” reinforcing the festival’s atmosphere of open expression.

Awards and Recognition

Alongside “Yellow Letters”, several other films were honoured:

Grand Jury Prize: “Salvation” by Emin Alper

Jury Prize: “Queen At Sea” by Lance Hammer

Best Director: Grant Gee (“Everybody Digs Bill Evans”)

Best Leading Performance: Sandra Hüller (“Rose”)

Best Screenplay: Geneviève Dulude-de Celles (“Nina Roza”)

A “Challenging” but Open Festival

Festival chief Tricia Tuttle described this year’s Berlinale as “emotionally charged” and challenging, while jury president Wim Wenders emphasised the importance of dialogue, compassion, and respect.

Despite controversies and debates, the festival concluded with a strong message: cinema remains a powerful platform not only for storytelling but also for confronting global issues.