Berlinale: 'Yellow Letters' wins the Golden Bear award
Deutsche Welle
February 22, 2026
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The Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) concluded with a bold statement as *Yellow Letters*, a political drama directed by Ilker Catak, claimed the Golden Bear award. The film, set in contemporary Turkey but shot in Germany, explores the strained relationship between a playwright and an actress caught in the crosshairs of state authoritarianism. The victory of this politically charged work was particularly significant given the festival’s broader context of political polarization. Wim Wenders, jury president, initially cautioned filmmakers to stay out of politics but later praised *Yellow Letters* for its clear critique of totalitarianism. Catak himself emphasized unity against autocrats in his acceptance speech, highlighting the film’s timely and resonant message.
The 2024 Berlinale was marked by intense political debates, starting with Wenders’ opening remarks about filmmakers avoiding politics and continuing through discussions on censorship and human rights. Festival director Tricia Tuttle acknowledged the world’s fractured state, referencing criticism over the festival’s perceived silence on issues like the Gaza conflict. Despite this, the event showcased films that tackled pressing global concerns, such as Emin Alper’s *Salvation*, which examined politically driven violence, and Lance Hammer’s *Queen at Sea*, a poignant exploration of dementia.
The festival also honored other notable works with Silver Bears, including Grant Gee’s * Everybody Digs Bill Evans*, a biopic on jazz legend Bill Evans, and Sandra Hüller’s stellar performance in *Rose*. These awards reflected the diversity of storytelling
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/22/2026