Name: Talents Table Talk: Places like Home
Start: 2020-02-24 17:00:01
Location: HAU1

Home is where you belong. But what if you are between nations or forced to leave yours? Cate Blanchett, the creator and actress of the Australian series Stateless, delves into the darker aspects of her nation's migratory politics. Alongside her are artists who face their multi-national identities with a camera in hand. In her documentary Born in Evin, German actress and director Maryam Zaree returns to her birthplace in Iran: a prison for political prisoners. And setting out to portray his father’s homeland of Algeria, Brazilianborn and Berlin-based director Karim Aïnouz found Nardjes instead, who took to the streets of Algiers to fight for a democratic future. All four artists and activists put the politics of belonging at the centre of the table.

Karim Aïnouz

Karim Aïnouz is an award-winning filmmaker and visual artist. He debuted as a director with "MADAME SATÃ" (Cannes Un Certain Regard, 2002). His other works include "FIREBRAND" (Cannes Competition, 2023), "MARINER OF THE MOUNTAINS" (Official Selection Cannes, 2021), "NARDJES A." (Berlin Panorama, 2020), "CENTRAL AIRPORT THF" (Berlin Amnesty Prize, 2018), "FUTURO BEACH" (Berlin Competition, 2014), "THE SILVER CLIFF" (Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, 2011), "I TRAVEL BECAUSE I HAVE TO, I COME BACK BECAUSE I LOVE YOU" (Venice Orizzonti, 2009) and "LOVE FOR SALE" (Venice Orizzonti, 2006). "INVISIBLE LIFE" won the Un Certain Regard Prize at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and has been the recipient of several prizes worldwide. Aïnouz is also a screenwriter, tutor, and member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. "MOTEL DESTINO" is his latest feature.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett is an internationally acclaimed, Academy Award-winning actor, producer, artistic director, humanitarian, and dedicated member of the arts community. She has served as Jury President of Cannes International Film Festival and Venice International Film Festival. Cate is a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and a lifetime member of the Australian Conservation Foundation. For the role in her latest feature “TÁR” she is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Maryam Zaree

When she was two, Maryam Zaree’s mother fled with her from Iran to Germany to escape political persecution. She studied acting at Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf. She played the leading role in Burhan Qurbani’s SHAHADA, which screened in Berlinale Competition 2010. In 2018, Maryam received a Grimme Award for her performance in the series 4 BLOCKS. She also won the Best Writer award at the Heidelberger Stückemarkt theatre festival for her play “Kluge Gefühle”. BORN IN EVIN is her feature film debut.

Nardjes Asli

Nardjes A. is an Algerian activist and the protagonist of Karim Aïnouz's eponymous documentary. In it, he accompanies her for 24 hours on International Women’s Day in March 2019 - and captures a picture of a youth that is confidently taking to the streets for a democratic future for Algeria, the country for whose independence their parents and grandparents once fought.

Florian Weghorn

Florian Weghorn is the Programme Manager of Berlinale Talents. Together with Nikola Joetze, he heads the initiative and advises its seven international branches and the alumni network around the globe. He holds an MA in Theatre, Film and Television Studies from the University of Cologne. Florian joined Berlinale Generation in 2002 and served as the co-director and curator of the programme from 2008 to 2014. Between 2012 and 2019, Florian was also a member of the Berlinale Competition Selection Committee. He has written and edited several publications on film and youth culture.