Anime-Grafik von einer springenden Person, umrahmt von einem großen Mond und Bäumen.

©1993 Yoshiaki Kawajiri / Madhouse / FlyingDog / TOHO CO., LTD. / MOVIC INC.

Film festival

Berlinale Classics 2026

12.–22.2.26

Restored film classics and rediscoveries on the big screen

Berlinale Classics 2026 presents ten films from nine countries, the most expansive program since its introduction. ‘Assarab’ is the first film to be shown from Morocco, and Ukraine is also represented for the first time, with ‘Kryshtalevyi Palats’. Another section debut is the anime genre, with the masterpiece ‘Jubei Ninpucho’.  One of the highlights is the restored version of Georg Wilhelm Pabst's silent film ‘Geheimnisse einer Seele’, which will premiere with a new score by Yongbom Lee and a live translation of the neural activity of an ensemble member into light and sound. The acoustic music will be augmented by electronic sound — produced by the brain activity of the violist.

All films

  • Zwei Männer stehen auf einer Ruine und unterhalten sich. Der eine reicht dem anderen die Hand.

    Assarab

    MAR 1979, directed by Ahmed Bouanani

     

    After serendipitously finding a bundle of money, a poor villager tries his luck in the big city. There, he encounters a range of people also hoping for a better life – preachers, soothsayers, jugglers. A seminal work of post-colonial Moroccan cinema.

  • Ein Mann hält mehrere Kameras vor sein Gesicht.

    Erogotoshi-tachi yori: Jinruigaku nyûmon

    JP 1966, directed by Shōhei Imamura 

    A pornographic film director surrenders to his perversions, satisfies those of his customers, and calls it a democratic act. Greed and base instincts dictate this grim grotesquerie by directing maestro Shōhei Imamura (1926–2006).

  • Ein Mann steht mit gebeugten Schultern in einem großen Raum, auf dem sich große Schatten abtzeichnen.

    Geheimnisse einer Seele

    G 1926, directed by G. W. Pabst

    A man develops a phobia of knives and turns to psychoanalysis for help. A psychological thriller in the strict sense of the term. Accompanied by music by Yongbom Lee, with the neural activity of one musician translated live into light and sound.

  • Zwei Männer in den Bergen, einer liegt auf einer Liege, der andere steht hinter ihm..

    Hukkunud Alpinisti hotell

    EST (SSR) 1979, directed by Grigori Kromanov

    There is a murder at a snowed-in mountain hotel. Could supernatural forces be at work here? This genre-busting film noir with elements of fantasy is based on the eponymous book by legendary Soviet writing duo Arkady and Boris Strugatsky.

  • Frau sitzt vor einer Tafel, auf der viel Geschrieben steht und Blumen gemalt sind. Sie lächelt.

    In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones

    IND 1989, directed by Pradip Krishen

    At architecture college in 1974 New Delhi, student Annie fails his final exams four times because the dean has it in for him. Now he is facing his fifth attempt. This whimsical campus comedy with a screenplay by Arundhati Roy became a cult hit.

  • Anime-Grafik von einer springenden Person, umrahmt von einem großen Mond und Bäumen.

    Jubei Ninpucho

    JP 1993, directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri

    During his wanderings through Edo-era Japan, a young ninja warrior meets eight opponents who present him with demonic challenges. An anime film full of action, splatter and fantasy elements, that was quickly recognised as a masterpiece of the genre.

  • Ein ausgelassenes Gelage an einem festlich gedeckten Tisch, im 17. Jahrhundert.

    La kermesse héroïque

    F/G 1935, directed by Jacques Feyder

    In 1616 Flanders, a city is facing the influx of Spanish troops. The clever townswomen use courage and charm to make sure the occupation is peaceful. A nimble costume drama with visual references to Flemish painting.

  • Drei Personen und eine Frauenbüste auf einem Boot.

    Kryshtalevyi Palats

    UKR (SSR) 1934, directed by Hryhori Hrycher

    After a pacifist artwork incurs the displeasure of totalitarian state authorities, its creator is accused of the murder of a state official. A Ukrainian political drama, influenced by German expressionist films and the Ukrainian avant-garde movement.

  • Ein Mann und eine Frau liegen im Bett, sie umarmt ihn von hinten.

    Leaving Las Vegas

    USA 1995, directed by Mike Figgis

    ‘Leaving Las Vegas’ is a heady cocktail of unsentimental boozer film and touching love story. His portrayal of an alcoholic who sets out to drink himself to death in the neon-lit Sin City of the title garnered Nicolas Cage an Oscar.

  • Drei Frauen mit zwei Kinderwägen laufen über einen riesiegen Schuttberg in der Stadt.

    Panelstory, aneb jak se rodí sídlište

    CSSR 1979, directed by Věra Chytilová

    A social satire about the difficulties of life and community in a newly-built, but already shabby housing estate on the fringes of Prague. The film was not officially approved until two years after its completion and has now been digitally restored.