GER25 Hysteria

Direct from the 2025 Berlinale, where it celebrated its highly anticipated World Premiere in the Panorama section, Hysteria is a suspenseful behind-the-scenes conspiracy thriller from award-winning director Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay in his second feature. On the set of a film production about a real-life 1993 arson incident, a burned Quran is discovered on set by a driver. The film crew is thrown into turmoil, and the shoot begins to spin out of control. Caught in the crossfire of accusations, 24-year-old intern and second assistant director Elif (2025 European Shooting Star Devrim Lingnau, The Empress) is drawn into a dangerous game of secrets, lies and paranoia, finding herself at the heart of an all-absorbing conspiracy. Filled with incendiary tensions and unexpected twists and turns, this clever and provocative mystery reflects on contemporary issues and presents a bold exploration of chaos, identity, ambition and power. This is a thought-provoking take on present day German society.