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WAX & GOLD

Berlinale Special Presentation 2026
© Ruth Beckermann Filmproduktion
Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie opened a grand hotel, the Hilton Addis Ababa, at the end of Africa’s defining decade of the 1960s. It became a controversial symbol of both his hope for the future of Africa and self-aggrandisement. Settling into the hotel, Ruth Beckermann delves into Ethiopia’s past and present, navigating the familiar and the foreign, fact and fiction. As her quest for historical truth unfolds, an audit that is layered with contradictions, insight and enlightenment unfolds. Beckermann blends archival footage of the Emperor with present-day conversations and interviews at the hotel, and also integrates her own reflections as a European woman into the film. At the same time, she gives us a glimpse of contemporary life outside of the opulent hotel, where workers queue in long lines at bus stops and the skyline is marked by the skeletons of high-rise buildings awaiting completion.

Trailer/Film Excerpt

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by Ruth Beckermann (Director, Screenplay) Austria / Italy 2026 German, English, Italian, Amharic 97' Colour & Black/White World premiere | Documentary form

Crew

Director Ruth Beckermann
Screenplay Ruth Beckermann
Cinematography Johannes Hammel
Editing Dieter Pichler
Sound Design Andreas Hamza
Producer Ruth Beckermann
Co-Producers Carlo Hintermann, Gerardo Panichi

Produced by

Ruth Beckermann Filmproduktion

Wien, Austria

Co-produced by

Citrullo International

Rom, Italy

World Sales

Celluloid Dreams

Paris, France

Photos

Ruth Beckermann

© Nini Tschavoll

The filmmaker and writer was born in Vienna, Austria. Her film Those Who Go Those Who Stay won Best Documentary at the Diagonale in Graz, while Die Geträumten won Best Feature Film at the same festival. Waldheims Walzer received several awards, including the Glashütte Original – Documentary Award at the Berlinale, and was selected to be Austria’s official entry for the Oscars. MUTZENBACHER won Best Film in the Encounters section of the Berlinale. Favoriten premiered in the same section and won the Peace Film Prize.

Filmography (selection)

2016 Die Geträumten (The Dreamed Ones) 2018 Waldheims Walzer (The Waldheim Waltz); documentary 2022 MUTZENBACHER; documentary 2024 Favoriten; documentary 2026 WAX & GOLD; documentary

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2026