Hysteria (2025) by Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay

About Movie: “Hysteria” is a German thriller drama film directed and written by Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay, which premiered at the Berlinale in 2025. The film follows the turmoil on a film set when a burned Quran is discovered, drawing an intern into a dangerous web of secrets and lies.

Plot summary: Set during the production of a film about racist attacks in 1990s Germany, the atmosphere on set becomes tense when a Quran is burned, and all evidence vanishes. Elif, a young intern, finds herself at the center of the mystery, trying to uncover the truth as different members of the production – including the director, producer, and actors from a refugee home – offer their conflicting versions of events.

Director’s Vision: Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay aims to create an anxiety-inducing thriller that delves into complex and sensitive issues prevalent in multicultural Germany, such as racism and representation. He blends elements of a tense thriller with a chamber drama to dissect identity politics within the immigrant community, prompting direct and piercing discussions on these subjects.

• Racism and Discrimination: The film is set against the backdrop of racist attacks and further explores potential biases and prejudices within the film production itself.

• Representation in Media: The movie examines how minority communities are portrayed in cinema, raising questions about authenticity, perpetuating stereotypes, and the “Cinema of Duty.”

• Identity and Belonging: The diverse characters, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds, grapple with their identities and sense of belonging in German society.

• Power Dynamics: The film explores the power structures on a film set and within broader society, highlighting how these dynamics influence events and perceptions.

• Truth and Deception: The central mystery revolves around uncovering the truth behind the burned Quran, with secrets and lies creating a web of suspicion.

• Cultural and Religious Sensitivity: The incident of the burned Quran brings to the forefront issues of cultural and religious sensitivity and the potential for misunderstandings or intentional acts.

• Thought-Provoking Premise: The central incident of a burned Quran on a film set tackling racism immediately creates a compelling and controversial scenario.

• Exploration of Timely Social Issues: The film tackles highly relevant and sensitive topics in contemporary society, likely to spark discussion and reflection.

• Director’s Reputation: Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay is known for his ability to create anxiety-inducing thrillers, suggesting a potentially gripping cinematic experience.

• Strong Lead Performance: Devrim Lingnau, as the intern Elif, is positioned as the central figure navigating the complex situation, and her performance will likely be crucial to the film’s success.

• Berlinale Premiere and Award: Being selected for the Panorama section and winning an award at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival provides significant visibility and critical attention.

Summary short: On a film set addressing racism, the burning of a Quran ignites turmoil and conspiracy, drawing an intern into a dangerous quest for truth.

Awards and nominations: “Hysteria” was nominated for the Panorama Audience Award for Best Feature Film and won the Europa Cinemas Label Award for Best European Film at the 2025 Berlin International Film Festival.

Critics reception: Initial critical reception from sites like Cineuropa, Indiewire, and ScreenAnarchy suggests a film that effectively builds dread and explores contentious sentiments within a film crew. Critics acknowledge the film’s engagement with important issues of migrant representation and racism in Germany. While some reviews point out narrative inconsistencies or a lack of subtlety, the film is generally seen as a direct and thought-provoking exploration of complex themes.

• ScreenAnarchy: Dustin Chang describes “Hysteria” as an anxiety-inducing film that directly addresses racism and representation, evolving into a chamber drama about identity politics. While the plot has some clunky moments, the film is praised for its directness and piercing engagement with its subject matter.

• Cineuropa: Vladan Petkovic notes that while the film deals with important issues of migrant representation in Europe, the “unnecessarily convoluted plot” leaves the viewer confused. He points out that the film raises many questions about truth and motives but doesn’t necessarily provide clear answers. However, Ioncinema’s review on Cineuropa praises Devrim Lingnau’s performance and highlights the film’s exploration of power hierarchies within the film community and the complexities of cultural representation.

• Indiewire: The review states that Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s tense film answers too literally the plethora of nuanced questions it raises about respect, freedom of speech, and the purpose of art.

Production: Principal photography for “Hysteria” took place in Germany between December 2022 and April 2023, across locations in Köln, Rüsselsheim, and Hürth. The film was produced by Filmfaust Filmproduktion in collaboration with Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF). The director aimed to explore the complexities behind the production of images and representation.

• Real Fiction Filmverleih (Germany) – Real Fiction Filmverleih is listed as one of the distribution companies for the film in Germany.

• Pluto Film Distribution Network GmbH (Germany) – Also involved in distribution.

Release date on streaming: The release date for “Hysteria” on streaming platforms has not been officially announced yet.

Theatrical release: “Hysteria” had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 15, 2025. Further theatrical release dates in Germany and other countries are yet to be announced.

Why to recommend this movie:

• Addresses Timely and Important Issues: The film tackles relevant and sensitive topics like racism and representation in contemporary society, making it a potentially engaging and thought-provoking watch.

• Offers a Unique and Tense Narrative: The premise of a mystery unfolding on a film set creates an intriguing and potentially suspenseful viewing experience.

• Explores Complex Identity Politics: The film delves into the nuances of identity and belonging within an immigrant community in Germany, offering a deeper understanding of these issues.

• Praised for its Direct Approach: Critics note the film’s direct and piercing engagement with its subject matter, suggesting it doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations.

• Recognition at Berlinale: The film’s premiere and award win at a major international film festival indicate a certain level of quality and artistic merit.

• For Those Interested in Socially Conscious Thrillers: If you enjoy films that combine suspense with explorations of social and political themes, “Hysteria” could be a compelling choice.

• To Gain Insight into Contemporary German Society: The film offers a look at issues affecting multicultural communities in Germany.

• To Experience a Film from an Emerging Director: Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay has garnered attention for his previous work, making this film one to watch for those interested in new directorial voices.

• For Strong Performances: Devrim Lingnau’s performance has been specifically highlighted as a strength of the film.

• To Engage in Post-Viewing Discussions: The film’s themes and potentially controversial premise are likely to spark meaningful conversations after watching.

What Movie Trend film is following: “Hysteria” appears to be following the trend of socially relevant thriller dramas. This trend involves using the framework of a thriller to explore pressing social and political issues, often focusing on themes of identity, prejudice, and power structures within a specific cultural or societal context.

What Big Social Trend is following (name of the trend, summary): The film taps into the big social trend of increased awareness and discussion around issues of racism, representation, and cultural sensitivity. In a globalized world with diverse communities, there is a growing emphasis on the importance of accurate and respectful portrayals in media and the need to address systemic biases and prejudices.

Final Verdict: “Hysteria” is a timely and potentially impactful thriller drama that tackles complex social issues within the specific context of multicultural Germany. While some critics note narrative complexities, the film’s direct engagement with sensitive themes, strong lead performance, and recognition at Berlinale make it a noteworthy film for those interested in socially conscious cinema.

Recommendations for movie industry: The emergence of films like “Hysteria” suggests the following recommendations for the movie industry:

• Continue to support filmmakers who tackle challenging and relevant social issues: These stories can foster important dialogues and contribute to greater understanding.

• Encourage authentic representation and diverse perspectives in storytelling: Films that genuinely engage with the experiences of marginalized communities can offer valuable insights.

• Provide platforms for filmmakers from diverse backgrounds: Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s work highlights the importance of supporting creators who can bring unique perspectives to the screen.

• Recognize the power of film to spark conversations and promote social awareness: The industry should continue to create and support films that encourage critical thinking and engagement with societal issues.

• Support international co-productions and distribution to ensure these stories reach global audiences: Films that address universal themes within specific cultural contexts can resonate with viewers worldwide.