Norwegian director Dag Johan Haugerud’s Dreams (Sex Love) stunned audiences by winning the Golden Bear at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. The jury, led by Todd Haynes, praised its meditation on love and keen intelligence, cementing its status as a modern LGBTQ+ masterpiece.
The film follows Ella Øverbyer’s teenage character grappling with infatuation for her French teacher, unraveling family tensions when her private writings surface.
It cuts you to the quick,Haynes declared during the ceremony. This marks the finale of Haugerud’s trilogy, preceded by Sex (2024 Berlinale) and Love (2024 Venice Film Festival).
Other notable winners include:
- Silver Bear: Gabriel Mascaro’s dystopian The Blue Trail
- Jury Prize: Ivan Fund’s rural saga The Message
- Best Director: Huo Meng for Living the Land
Rose Byrne and Andrew Scott earned top acting honors, while the festival coincided with Germany’s heated election campaign. With Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition collapsing, debates over migration and far-right political gains dominated headlines.
Haugerud’s triumph highlights Scandinavia’s growing influence in global cinema, blending intimate storytelling with bold social commentary. As Berlinale concludes, Dreams (Sex Love) emerges as a defining work for LGBTQ+ representation and Nordic film innovation.
