East is East

Director: Damien O'Donnell

Year: 2004

The story of Michael (Steven Robertson), a 24-year-old with cerebral palsy and long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled. His life is transformed when the maverick Rory O' Shea (James McAvoy) moves in. Michael is stunned to discover that fast talking Rory, who can move only his right hand, can understand his almost unintelligible speech. Rory's dynamic and rebellious nature soon sparks a flame in Michael, introducing him to a whole new world outside Carrigmore. Together the two men outwit the system and set themselves up in a flat employing the beautiful Siobhan (Romola Garai) as their personal assistant, to cook, clean and take care of their needs. She soon becomes integral to the boys efforts at successful independent living and begins to realise that this responsibility brings as many complications as it does rewards.

Director: Marc Munden

Year: 2026

Adapted from the 1954 novel by William Golding, the story of a group of young schoolboys who find themselves stranded on a Pacific island following a deadly plane crash during a nuclear war. In an attempt to remain civil, the boys organise themselves, led by Ralph and supported by the group’s intellectual, Piggy. But as the youngest members begin to share sightings of a terrifying beast, hunter Jack begins to wrestle for leadership. Jack Thorne’s adaptation marks the first time 'Lord of the Flies' has been brought to television. Faithful to the original novel, the series delves further into the book’s emotive themes: human nature, the loss of innocence and boyhood masculinity. Each of the four episodes is titled after a character at the core of the story – Ralph, Piggy, Simon and Jack – offering a subtly different perspective on the boys’ collective plight and manner in which they cope with their predicament. Official Selection Berlin International Film Festival 2026 - Berlinale Special Series - International premiere

Director: Hanna Bergholm

Year: 2026

With dreams of starting a perfect family, Saga and her British husband Jon move to the isolated house deep in the Finnish forest where Saga spent much of her childhood. But as soon as their baby is born, despite the reassurances of everyone around her, Saga knows something is terribly wrong. As their marriage starts to crack and Jon struggles to support his wife, only Saga suspects the disturbing truth about their newborn child. Official Selection Berlin International Film Festival 2026 - Competition - World premiere