Berlinale Classics 2025 Unveils Eight Digitally Restored Films Across Eras
The 2025 Berlinale Classics section, part of the Berlin International Film Festival in Germany, will present eight notable digitally restored films, ranging from the 1930s to the 1980s. The lineup includes seven world premieres and one international premiere, reflecting the ongoing commitment to preserving cinematic heritage. For the first time, the section features restorations by the Estonian Film Institute and the China Film Archive.
This year’s Berlinale Classics will open with the 4K restored version of "Solo Sunny" (1980). Directed by Konrad Wolf, the film won Renate Krößner the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 1980 Berlinale. The restoration, completed by Eurotape in collaboration with cinematographer Eberhard Geick, marks the launch of the DEFA Foundation’s Konrad Wolf Year, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the director’s birth.
Another highlight is "Shennü" (The Goddess, 1934), a silent film masterpiece from China. Restored by the China Film Archive in 4K, the film honors the 90th anniversary of its star Ruan Lingyu's death. The restoration uses the original 35 mm nitrate negative, with the remastered score recorded by the China Philharmonic Orchestra.
The lineup also includes Howard Hughes and James Whale’s war drama "Hell’s Angels" (1930), showcasing groundbreaking aerial sequences and Jean Harlow's first color appearance. Universal Pictures restored the film from a 35 mm dupe negative, ensuring the preservation of its historic elements.
Alfred Hitchcock's courtroom drama "The Paradine Case" (1947), starring Gregory Peck, returns in a 4K restoration supervised by Walt Disney Studios and Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation. This version preserves the runtime of the film’s original release by producer David O. Selznick.
Other significant works include Yasuzô Masumura’s "Seisaku no Tsuma" (The Wife of Seisaku, 1965), restored in 4K by Kadokawa Corporation, and Don Siegel’s iconic "Dirty Harry" (1971), remastered in 8K by Warner Bros. Both restorations retain the authenticity of the original productions while enhancing visual and audio quality.
Representing Estonia, "Naerata ometi" (Smile at Last, 1985) makes its mark in the Classics section. Digitised in 6K and restored in 4K by Locomotive Classics, the restoration was closely supervised by co-director and cinematographer Arvo Iho.
Completing the lineup is the Spanish documentary "Vestida de azul" (Dressed in Blue, 1983). A groundbreaking exploration of queer life in Spain, it has been restored in 4K by Enrique Cerezo P.C. and Video Mercury Films. The restoration honors director Antonio Giménez-Rico, drawing on his reference materials for the color correction.
Berlinale Classics 2025 celebrates cinematic history, offering audiences a glimpse into diverse eras and cultures through meticulous restoration efforts. Among the expected guests in Berlin is Nacha Sánchez, one of the main protagonists of "Vestida de azul."