Kontinental '25

Kontinental '25
Festival release poster
Directed byRadu Jude
Written byRadu Jude
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMarius Panduru
Edited byCătălin Crystal
Music byMatei Teodorescu
Production
companies
  • Saga Film
  • RT Features
  • Bord Cadre Films
  • Sovereign Films
  • Paul Thiltges Distributions
Distributed byLuxbox
Release date
  • February 19, 2025 (2025-02-19) (Berlinale)
Running time
109 minutes
Countries
  • Romania
  • Brazil
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • Luxembourg
Languages
  • Romanian
  • Hungarian
  • German

Kontinental '25 is a 2025 comedy-drama film written and directed by Radu Jude. The title of the film is inspired by Roberto Rossellini's 1951 film Europe '51. It stars Eszter Tompa as Orsolya, a bailiff in Cluj, who faces a moral crisis when a homeless man she tries to evict, living in the basement of a building, commits suicide.[1][2]

The film had its world premiere at the main competition of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, on 19 February 2025,[3] where it won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay.[4]

Synopsis

A homeless man's eviction in Cluj leads to his tragic suicide, leaving bailiff Orsolya consumed by guilt. This film, blending drama and absurdist comedy, examines the housing crisis, post-socialist economics, and nationalism. Inspired by Europe '51, it contrasts meaningful action with Orsolya's desperate, unfulfilled search for understanding. Her moral ambiguity reflects contemporary societal malaise.

Cast

  • Eszter Tompa as Orsolya
  • Gabriel Spahiu as Ion
  • Adonis Tanța as Fred
  • Oana Mardare as Dorina
  • Șerban Pavlu as Priest Șerban
  • Annamária Biluska as Orsolya’s mother
  • Adrian Sitaru
  • Marius Damian
  • Nicodim Ungureanu
  • Ilinca Manolache as Irina
  • Dan Ursu
  • Vlad Semenescu
  • Daniel Paleacu
  • Theodor Graur
  • Marius Panduru

Release

Kontinental '25 had its world premiere on 19 February 2025, as part of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, in Competition.[5][6][7]

Paris-based Luxbox acquired the sales rights of the film in January 2025.[8]

It competed in the official competition Grand Prix competition at the Luxembourg City Film Festival on 8 March, 2025.[9][10]

The film will be screened in Les Auteurs at the 49th Hong Kong International Film Festival on 12 April 2025.[11][12]

The film featured at the 72nd Sydney Film Festival in the Features section on 4 June 2025.[13] The film was also part of Horizons section of the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where it was screened from 4 July to 10 July 2025.[14]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 17 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10.[15] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 80 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[16]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Ref.
Berlin International Film Festival 23 February 2025 Golden Bear Kontinental '25 Nominated [17]
Silver Bear for Best Screenplay Radu Jude Won [18]
Luxembourg City Film Festival 16 March 2025 The Grand Prix Kontinental '25 Nominated [19]

References

  1. ^ Radu Jude (24 January 2025). "Kontinental '25". Cineuropa. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Kontinental '25". Saga Film. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  3. ^ Rosser, Michael (21 January 2025). "Berlin film festival reveals 2025 competition line-up 2025". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  4. ^ Ntim, Zac (22 February 2025). "Berlin Film Festival: Norwegian Film 'Dreams (Sex Love)' Wins Golden Bear, Andrew Scott & Rose Byrne Take Acting Honors — Full List". Deadline. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  5. ^ Davide Abbatescianni (21 January 2025). "The Berlinale unveils the titles playing in its Competition and its Perspectives and Berlinale Special strands". Cineuropa. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  6. ^ Ntim, Zac (21 January 2025). "Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Richard Linklater, Jessica Chastain, A$AP Rocky & Marion Cotillard Movies Among Vibrant Selection". Deadline. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  7. ^ "Kontinental '25". Berlinale. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
  8. ^ Rebecca Leffler (21 January 2025). "Luxbox picks up Radu Jude's Berlin Competition feature 'Kontinental '25' (exclusive)". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Kontinental '25". Luxembourg City Film Festival. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  10. ^ Tómas Atli Einarsson (12 February 2025). "Luxembourg City Film Festival returns for 15th edition". Luxembourg Times. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  11. ^ Shackleton, Liz (17 March 2025). "'The Brightest Sun', 'Pavane For An Infant' To Open HKIFF; Leos Carax & Ando Sakura Among Filmmakers Set To Attend". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  12. ^ "Kontinental '25". HKIFF. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  13. ^ "Kontinental '25". Sydney Film Festival. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Catalogue of Films". Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  15. ^ "Kontinental '25". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  16. ^ "Kontinental '25". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
  17. ^ Scott Roxborough (21 January 2025). "Berlin Film Festival Lineup: Movies From Richard Linklater, Michel Franco, Hang Song-Soo in Competition (Full List)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 January 2025.
  18. ^ Scott Roxborough (22 February 2025). "Norwegian Queer Love Story 'Dreams' Wins 75th Berlin Film Festival (Full Winners List)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  19. ^ "Official competition the Luxembourg City Film Festival". Luxembourg City Film Festival. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
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