Radu Jude's 'Kontinental '25' Set for Berlinale World Premiere
Jude returns to the spotlight with 'Kontinental '25', premiering at the 75th Berlinale in the official competition, marking another major success for Saga Film.
Romanian director Radu Jude returns to the Berlin International Film Festival with his new feature film 'Kontinental '25'. Produced by Saga Film in collaboration with partners from Brazil, Switzerland, the UK, and Luxembourg, the film has been included in the official competition of the 75th Berlinale, which runs from February 13 to 23, 2025.
The story follows Orsolya, a bailiff in Cluj, the main city in Transylvania. One day she must evict a homeless man who lives in the basement of a building. An unexpected event creates a moral crisis she tries to solve as best she can. With a blend of dark humor and social commentary, 'Kontinental '25' explores issues such as the housing crisis, nationalism, and economic inequality in post-socialist Europe.
Jude, known for his distinctive and provocative style, previously won the Golden Bear at Berlinale for 'Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn.'
International sales for 'Kontinental '25' are being handled by Luxbox. The company described the film as both timely and timeless, exploring human morality through incisive social satire.
Alex Teodorescu, producer at Saga Film, said the project began as a spontaneous and daring endeavor, with less than a month between the first conversation and the first shooting day.
The challenges of conflicting production schedules, tight pre-production, and limited resources were outweighed by the team's commitment to completing the independent film.
The ensemble cast includes Eszter Tompa, Gabriel Spahiu, Adonis Tanta, Serban Pavlu, Oana Mardare, and Annamaria Biluska, among others.
The technical team includes Marius Panduru (DOP), Catalin Cristutiu (editor), Matei Teodorescu (music), Cristian Stefanescu (sound editing), and Alexandru Dumitru (sound mixing at Chainsaw Europe).
'Kontinental '25' will be screened at Berlinale on February 19, 22, and 23 at venues including Berlinale Palast, Haus der Berliner Festspiele, and Uber Eats Music Hall.