With more than two dozen new feature films from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, a tribute to Wim
Wenders, a special talk about HOLLYWOOD SPEAKS GERMAN, and the original English version of THE
BLUE ANGEL the 14th edition of Berlin & Beyond is back with full force at the wonderful Castro Theatre.
For the fourth time the festival is giving an Award for Lifetime Achievement and we are very proud to
present it this year to Wim Wenders, one of the best known and highly acclaimed directors of New Ger-
man Cinema. In his honor, the program includes a new documentary that highlights his early career and
his classic KINGS OF THE ROAD. Mr. Wenders will be at the Castro for the US premier of his latest film, PAL-
ERMO SHOOTING followed by an on-stage talk with Gerd Gemünden.
The festival will open with CHERRY BLOSSOMS, a poignant celebration of beauty, new beginnings, and
transcendence, by beloved director Doris Dörrie and closing it will be German veteran director Martin
Walz’s MELODIES OF SPRING, a warm-hearted thoroughly original boy-meets-girl story.
Each year we are happy to see the return of a number of filmmakers Berlin & Beyond fans will remember.
This year’s returning directors include, in addition to Doris Dörrie, Andreas Dresen (SUMMER IN BERLIN
2007) with critically acclaimed, controversial CLOUD 9; Christian Petzold (YELLA, 2008) with the master-
piece JERICHOW; Austria’s Götz Spielmann (THE STRANGER 2001) with the gripping feature REVANCHE; and Thomas Stiller (THE WOUND, 2002, THE BOY WITHOUT QUALITIES, 2007) with the thriller 12 WINTERS.
Micha Lewinsky will be awarded the 2009 MK Best First Feature Award for THE FRIEND, a touching portrait
of loss and personal growth from Switzerland. Contenders for this prize include accomplished, impres-
sive debuts: A HERO’S WELCOME, NOVEMBER CHILD starring Anna Maria Mühe, DAYS IN BETWEEN, COME IN AND BURN OUT, and THE ICE BOMB.
Documentary topics this year include art (I. IMMENDORFF), music (LA PALOMA), and architecture (BIRD’S NEST). Current up-and-coming talent from film schools will be showcased in the shorts program. Screens for schools include FOOTBALL UNDER COVER, in which a Berlin women’s soccer team overcomes obsta-
cles to play the national women’s soccer team in Iran, and for the upper grades there is THE WAVE, a high
school experiment about totalitarianism. And to sweeten up your Sunday take the whole family to SILLY’S SWEET SUMMER.
In keeping with the special topic “HOLLYWOOD SPEAKS GERMAN” (and UFA speaks English) this year‘s clas-
sic is the first major German sound film, THE BLUE ANGEL, in the original English version. Marlene Dietrich
and Emil Jannings speaking and singing English is a rare treat.
And don’t miss Kinofest Lünen’s Audience Award film EVET, I DO.
For the 14th time, the Castro has been speaking German, and it’s all because of our stanch and generous
sponsors, donors, and audience. To all of you: a heart-felt THANK YOU! We hope you enjoy the show!

RUDOLF DE BAEYINGRID EGGERS
President of the Festival Director
Board of Directors