Berlinale 2026: Prosecution

Faraz Shariat, who drew widespread attention in 2019 with his multi-award-winning, semi-autobiographical feature debut "No Hard Feelings," now presents his latest film "Prosecution" in the Panorama section of the current Berlinale. At its center is the young public prosecutor Seyo Kim, a jurist who understands her profession as a matter of principle: an attempt to restore to the rule of law the sharpness it too often loses when confronted with right-wing violence. Determined to pursue her investigations in eastern Germany, she soon finds herself caught in the pull of an institutional apparatus that proclaims neutrality while ultimately protecting itself. Defying the expectations of her department, Seyo uncovers structural blind spots, failures, and breaches of trust—precisely the experiences survivors of racist violence have been reporting for years. While not based on a single specific case, the film engages with events that are nonetheless a firmly entrenched part of everyday reality in Germany and beyond. Theatre actress Chen Emilie Yan makes her screen debut here, delivering—according to advance information—a powerful portrayal of the prosecutor. Much also suggests that, with this new work, Shariat once again affirms why he is considered one of the most daring and exciting voices in contemporary German cinema. The world premiere will take place on February 15 at the Zoo Palast, with additional screenings scheduled throughout the festival.