The upcoming 2025 HSBC German Film Festival returns to Adelaide from 7 May to 28 May. Taking place at Palace Nova Eastend and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas, this year’s line-up will showcase the best contemporary German cinema direct from major festivals in Europe.
Some highlights for this year’s festival:
The highly acclaimed documentary RIEFENSTAHL directed by celebrated filmmaker Andres Veiel. Having gained unprecedented access to the private estate of 20th century filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, Veiel explores the legacy of the woman who became world-famous with her Nazi propaganda film Triumph of the Will. This insightful documentary draws on incredible archival material and footage from Riefenstahl, who continually denied any close ties to the Nazi regime.
The 2025 Festival Centrepiece, arriving directly from the recent Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), is Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s thriller HYSTERIA. A piercing reflection on the power of images and the dynamics of perception, projection and social hysteria, the film features one of European cinema’s rising stars Devrim Lingnau as an assistant director intern who is drawn into a dangerous game of secrets, lies and paranoia.
In the second Special Presentation of the Festival, Sandra Hüller leads an all-star cast including Ronald Zehrfeld, Peter Kurth and Max Riemelt in German box office hit TWO TO ONE (Zwei zu eins). Based on incredible true events, the film follows a group of East Germans in 1990 who take advantage of the chaotic economic situation in East Germany to pull off a highly entertaining heist of soon-to-be-worthless East German marks in this lighthearted comedy with its heart in the right place.
A sensation at last year’s Berlinale, celebrated auteur Matthias Glasner’s compelling drama DYING assembles an all-star cast led by the incredible Lars Eidinger. Set between Berlin and Hamburg, Eidinger stars as a successful, middle-aged orchestra conductor negotiating the chaos of his volatile private life. Treading the line between drama, tragedy and black humour, DYING has been described as an indelible, richly rewarding experience.
Excitingly, the festival’s “Kino for Kids” sidebar has returned with a wonderful selection for the whole family. Presented with Goethe-Institut Australia, this year we are thrilled to present some uplifting and enlightening films for all-ages. WINNERS (Sieger Sein) tells the tale of Mona, an eleven-year-old Syrian refugee who discovers a passion for football and the importance of friendship and resilience. CIRCUSBOY (Zirkuskind), explores the life of Santino, an eleven-year-old who grows up in a travelling circus. This gem at Berlinale comes directly from their Generation K-Plus selection.
Adapted from the popular book series, THE CHAOS SISTERS AND PENGUIN PAUL (Die Chaosschwestern und Pinguin Paul) follows four sisters who must work together to save a dancing penguin who has been kidnapped. THE DOOR-TO-DOOR BOOKSTORE (Der Buchspazierer) is a charming ode to bibliophiles. It is based on the best-selling novel by Carsten Henn and is inspired by a real bookstore in Aachenis.
