The 75th Berlin International Film Festival is set to push boundaries like never before, offering a lineup filled with eccentric, provocative, and avant-garde films. With titles featuring roller-skating dictators, mythical merfolk, and public acts of intimacy, Berlinale 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most unconventional editions in the festival’s history.
As cinephiles and industry insiders converge on Berlin, viewers can expect films that challenge narratives and representation. But what exactly are these peculiar films, and what makes them so intriguing? Let’s dive into the most outlandish selections from this year’s roster.
A Twisted Take on History: ‘The Trio Hall’
Taiwanese filmmaker Su Hui-Yu offers a hallucinatory satire with The Trio Hall, a film that absurdly re-imagines historical figures in a theatrical spectacle. Stalin, Mao, and Chiang Kai-shek share the stage with none other than Hitler—on roller skates. Set against the backdrop of flashy entertainment reminiscent of 1970s Taiwanese television, this unconventional narrative uses irony and humor to critique political authoritarianism.
Winston Churchill also makes an appearance—in a bathing suit, no less—joining in a dance revue with these dictators. The film is described as an over-the-top critique on the intersection of politics and entertainment—a theme highly relevant in today’s media landscape.
Myth and Reality Converge in Sirens Call
Blending documentary with science fiction, Sirens Call explores the world of modern-day merfolk culture. Directed by German filmmakers Miri Ian Gossing and Lina Sieckmann, the film follows the enigmatic performer “Una” as she navigates a crumbling world.
Describing herself as “not fully human,” Una embarks on a journey through desolate landscapes, motels, and diners in search of connection. The film’s hybrid storytelling blurs the lines between reality and myth, culminating in a haunting commentary on environmental destruction and human identity.
Depression and Submission in Paul
Canadian director Denis Côté delivers a deeply introspective documentary about Paul, a man battling social anxiety and depression. Isolated and struggling to find meaning, Paul discovers an unconventional coping mechanism—working as a submissive house cleaner for dominant women.
His journey into what he calls “Cleaning to Save My Life” unfolds through Instagram reels and self-imposed rituals, painting a raw psychological portrait of a man desperate for connection. Paul promises to be as unsettling as it is revealing, merging digital escapism with stark human vulnerability.
Punk Against Oppression: Queer as Punk
Being LGBTQ+ remains criminalized in Malaysia, but that hasn’t stopped Faris and his punk band Shh…Diam! from fighting for visibility. Directed by Yihwen Chen, Queer as Punk follows the band as they use music and activism to challenge an oppressive system.
Their journey isn’t just about performance—it’s about survival. As Malaysia grapples with shifting political tides, the film captures candid conversations on self-expression, gender identity, and systemic repression. With themes rooted in defiance and resilience, this documentary stands as a powerful testament to the punk spirit.
Bold Eroticism in Night Stage
Erotic cinema takes a daring turn in Night Stage, a Brazilian film directed by Marcio Reolon and Filipe Matzembacher. It follows Matias and Rafael, an actor and a politician, who are bound by a mutual fetish for public intimacy.
As their careers ascend, so does their craving for risk. What begins as mere thrill-seeking soon spirals into dangerous obsession, raising questions about power, secrecy, and self-destruction. With its provocative themes, Night Stage is poised to be one of the festival’s most controversial selections.
A Cinematic Dreamscape: What’s Next?
Cao Yiwen’s What’s Next? offers an experimental visual odyssey filled with surreal landscapes, psychedelic dancing vegetables, and dystopian imagery. Created using AI-generated visuals, the film deconstructs themes of capitalism, environmental collapse, and gender roles.
With no dialogue and a hypnotic soundtrack, the film immerses audiences in a bizarre dreamscape, offering an eerie reflection on technology’s expanding role in storytelling. Whether it’s a visionary masterpiece or an unsettling experiment, What’s Next? is guaranteed to spark debate.
A Haunting Personal Reflection: Ancestral Visions of the Future
Directed by Lesotho-born filmmaker Lemohang Mosese, Ancestral Visions of the Future presents a deeply personal exploration of memory and identity. Blending fragmented narratives with mythic imagery, the film functions as an elegy to a people caught between tradition and displacement.
Mosese, who previously gained acclaim for This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection, crafts this film as a tribute to his mother and his homeland, using poetic allegory to dissect themes of loss and belonging.
Berlinale 2025: A Festival of Boundless Creativity
This year’s Berlin Film Festival is not for the faint of heart. Between roller-skating dictators, mermaid activists, and AI-generated hallucinations, Berlinale 2025 is doubling down on its commitment to pushing cinematic boundaries.
The festival has always been a platform for daring voices, but this year’s selections indicate a shift toward even more uncompromising, experimental storytelling. With films that blend reality and fantasy, politics and satire, self-destruction and survival, Berlinale 2025 challenges its audience to embrace the unexpected.
So, which film will leave the biggest impact? That remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—audiences are in for a wild ride.
Source: Hollywood Reporter