Nicolas Philibert’s “On the Adamant” won the Golden Bear prize at the 73rd Berlin Film Festival. The French documentary chronicles a unique day-care center in the heart of Paris that welcomes adults suffering from mental disorders.
Im looking forward to this one since Philibert has delivered some great films in his illustrious career including 2001’s “Etre et Avoir,” which is easily one of the best documentaries of the last two decades. A masterpiece.
The A24-produced “Past Lives,” a film US critics were drooling all over at Sundance, received zero prizes. The Kristen Stewart led jury completely snubbed it.
For a moment there, we thought Christian Petzold’s “Afire” would win the top prize, but the German director settled for the runner-up prize. This was another highly anticipated film from Petzold and reviews out of Berlin seemed to indicate that he delivered with this one.
8-year-old Sofía Otero, who plays a person who begins to transition in Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren’s “20,000 Species of Bees,” became the youngest-ever winner for an acting prize in Berlinale history.
Another French filmmaking icon, Philippe Garrel, took home the Best Director prize for “The Plough”, a family drama featuring Garrel’s real-life children playing three siblings in a multi-generational family of puppeteers. Garrel dedicated his award to Jean-Luc Godard.
Golden Bear Prize
On the Adamant — Nicholas PhilibertSilver Bear Jury Prize
Bad Living (Mal Viver) — Joᾶo CanijoSilver Bear Grand Jury Prize
Afire — Christian PetzoldBest Director
Philippe Garrel (Le grand chariot)Best Leading Performance
Sofía Ortero (20,000 Species of Bees)Outstanding Artistic Contribution
Hélène Louvart for the cinematography in Disco Boy.Best Screenplay
Angela Schanelec (Music)
Back in May, a Warner Bros. source told me ‘Chapter 2’ wasn't coming out in 2026. It was “not in the plans.” The film has been finished for two years.