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Yella

Berlinale Special – Berlinale Camera 2025
Source: Deutsche Kinemathek, © PIFFL MEDIEN
Yella wants to leave, to finally put her small East German town behind her, and her failed marriage along with it, to go to the West, across the River Elbe, where surely there must be work and a future. In Hanover, she meets Philipp, a young executive in a private equity firm. As his assistant, she proves herself in the ruthless world of venture capital with its steel-and-glass offices, leased limousines and discreetly lit hotel lobbies. Everything seems easy, a thrilling game with nothing but winners. Philipp becomes the man in her life: attentive, unsentimental, determined, and his goals could also become hers. It looks like Yella has arrived on the right side of the Elbe. But strange voices and sounds start to plague her – truths from her past that are coming back to haunt her. She begins to fear that her new life might be too good to be true. She is determined to keep her eyes open – because only those who sleep can wake up.
by Christian Petzold (Director, Screenplay)
with Nina Hoss, Devid Striesow, Hinnerk Schönemann, Burghart Klaußner Germany 2007 German 89' Colour Rating R 12

With

  • Nina Hoss (Yella)
  • Devid Striesow (Philipp)
  • Hinnerk Schönemann (Ben)
  • Burghart Klaußner (Dr. Gunthen)

Crew

Director Christian Petzold
Screenplay Christian Petzold
Cinematography Hans Fromm
Editing Bettina Böhler
Casting Simone Bär
Producers Florian Koerner von Gustorf, Michael Weber

Produced by

Schramm Film Koerner Weber Kaiser

Photos

Christian Petzold

© Christian Schulz Schramm Film

Born in Hilden, Germany in 1960, he studied German and drama at Freie Universität Berlin and then, from 1988 to 1994, directing at the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (DFFB). His films have already been selected six times for the Berlinale Competition. He was awarded the Silver Bear for Best Director for Barbara in 2012 while Afire won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize in 2023.

Filmography

1995 Pilotinnen 1996 Cuba Libre 1998 Die Beischlafdiebin 2000 Die innere Sicherheit (The State I Am In) 2001 Toter Mann (Something to Remind Me) 2003 Wolfsburg 2005 Gespenster (Ghosts) 2007 Yella 2008 Jerichow 2011 Dreileben – Etwas Besseres als den Tod (Dreileben – Beats Being Dead) 2012 Barbara 2014 Phoenix 2018 Transit 2020 Undine 2023 Roter Himmel (Afire)

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2025