Omar C-starrer 'The Stranger's Case' was included in the Berlinale special

Japanese director Kurosawa Kiyoshi's medium-length film “Zime” is one of three late additions to the Berlinale special section at the Berlin Film Festival.

The other two are „August My Heaven,” another medium-length film from Japan directed by Kudo Riho, and „The Stranger's Case,” a full-length feature directed by Brandt Anderson, which will play as a Berlinale special gala presentation.

„Shime” Tashiro, a student at a culinary school, hears voices in his head. Her teacher, Matsuoka, is unconcerned. But then Tashiro reveals that half of his brain has been replaced by a machine.

In „August My Heaven,” Joe earns a living as a professional actor, performing as a relative, lover, or friend to his clients and attending parties. After an encounter at a funeral, his professional and personal lives begin to merge.

Tragedy strikes a Syrian family in Aleppo in “The Case of the Strangers.” This triggers a chain reaction of events involving five different families in four different countries. The festival called it „a kaleidoscopic story thanks to an incredibly rich cast”. The film stars Omar Sy („Lupin,” „The Intouchables,” „Jurassic World”), Jason Beghe and Yasmin Al Masri („Quantico”).

„Both Japanese films – one by a renowned master, the other by a young filmmaker – are excellent examples of the art of crafting short-length narratives,” notes the festival. It added that the addition of three recent titles completes the selection for the Berlinale Special Section.

Previously announced titles in the category include: “Seven Veils” by Atom Ekoen; „Sasquatch Sunset” by David and Nathan Zellner, Riley Keough and Jesse Eisenberg; Documentary, „Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger”; „Love Lies Bleeding,” starring Kristen Stewart, Katie O'Brien, Ed Harris, Dave Franco and Jena Malone; German sports documentary „Eleven Tomorrows: Berlinale Meets Football”; and the violent Korean action film „The Roundup: Punishment.”