Summer In Berlin [Andreas Dresen, 2005]

A crowd pleasing comedy drama that has much to recommend it. The
friendship between the two leads characters is beautifully realised
by Inka Friedrich and Nadja Uhl, and the director goes for a quietly
observant style which leaves plenty of room for subtlety.

[IMDB link: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0477877/ ]

Krisana (Fallen) [Fred Kelemen, 2005]

Along with `The Death of Mr Lazarescu' this, for me, is one of the
great finds of the festival. Shot on DV in high contrast black and
white, it is a captivating contemplation on guilt and love. This is
cinema that takes its time – that completely immerses you in its
world. It unfolds in long slow takes with imagery both seductive
stark, and a prominent, claustrophobic soundscape.

The story is simple but emotionally complex, with a genuinely
affecting twist in the finale. But there is also a wry humour –
particularly in a scene stealing moment featuring one character who
is surely destined to become one of cinema's classic world weary
detectives.

Kelermen proved to be engaging and articulate in the Q&A following
the film. It was mentioned that there will be a retrospective of
his work in London in September. It would be wonderful if the
retrospective could come to Cambridge as well. I'm sure that there
are many like me who are not familiar with Kelerman's work and who,
on the evidence of this film, are hungry to see more.

[IMDB link: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0470840/ ]