No Good Men to open Berlinale

Drama is third feature from Shahrbanoo Sadat

by Amber Wilkinson

Anwar Hashimi, Shahrbanoo Sadat in No Good Men by Shahrbanoo Sadat
Anwar Hashimi, Shahrbanoo Sadat in No Good Men by Shahrbanoo Sadat Photo: © Virginie Surdej
The 76th edition of the Berlin Film Festival will open with the world premiere of No Good Men on February 12.

The drama is the third feature film by award-winning Afghan director Shahrbanoo Sadat, who previously made Wolf And Sheep (2016) and The Orphanage (2019). The film is the third of five planned films based on the autobiographical writings of author and actor Anwar Hashimi, who stars in the film alongside Sadat.

Naru (Sadat), the only camerawoman at Kabul TV, is convinced that there are no good men in Afghanistan. But when the reporter Qodrat takes her on assignment just before the Taliban’s return, sparks fly – and she begins to question this belief.

Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle said: “Shahrbanoo Sadat is one of the most exciting voices in world cinema and No Good Men really delivers on the promise of her first two features. Sadat continues her vital work spotlighting Afghan women’s lives, here bringing romance and touches of humour to a rousingly political story. That it is based on real events, and the director risked so much to get this film made makes No Good Men even more meaningful as our Opening Gala of the 76th Berlinale“.

Sadat added: “Growing up in Afghanistan’s deeply patriarchal society, I believed there were no good men – until I found out another reality exists, and I hope this film offers young women hope and young men an example.”

No Good Men is an international co-production between Germany, France, Norway, Denmark and Afghanistan. It will be released in Germany on August 27.

Share this with others on...
News

The serpent's call Composer Stephen Lukach on creating tension and awe in Beware Boiúna

Care and community Mike Leigh and the Tender Loving Care cast on humanity and looking out for one another

The aftermath Jorge Thielen Armand on returning to Venezuela to make Death Has No Master

Making magic Gregg Bishop on witches, inspiring actors, instinctive filmmaking and The Heretiks

The road to The Guests Cristina Diz and Stefan Butzmühlen on working together on their latest film

Beyond Saturn Tina Gharavi, Tala Calil and Assaad Bouab on Shadows Of Beirut

Puppy love Brad Pitt on the 'moving' Heart Of The Beast shoot thanks to furry co-star Odin

More news and features

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


San Sebastian Golden night for Tender Loving Care


Toronto La Bola Negra wins People's Choice award


San Sebastian Naomi Watts dedicates Donostia Award to Lynch


San Sebastian Werner Herzog honoured


Dinard Full programme announced


LFF Full programme announced