The Berlin International Film Festival opens with “Small Things Like These,” a film that explores Ireland’s notorious Magdalene laundries through the eyes of a father who discovers the convent’s secrets. The film stars Cillian Murphy, Michelle Fairley, and Emily Watson. The festival, led by Lupita Nyong’o, showcases a rich variety of films despite the pandemic. Adam Sandler’s “Spaceman” and Gael Garcia Bernal’s “Another End” tell different stories, while “La Cocina” deals with immigration and “Pepe” follows a hippo from Pablo Escobar’s zoo.

Martin Scorsese, a legendary director, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Golden Bear. But some filmmakers, like Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, face travel bans, affecting the debut of their feminist film “My Favourite Cake.” In a time of global turmoil, the festival highlights films that reflect on Germany’s Nazi past, such as “Treasure” and “From Hilde, With Love.”

The Berlinale offers a mix of star-studded, political, and artistic films, making it an essential venue for global cinema, promoting dialogue and creativity.