“No Good Men” Berlin Film Festival opening brings Afghan filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat to the Berlinale spotlight with romance, risk, and political urgency.
The No Good Men screening at Berlin Film Festival opening is not a safe choice.
That is exactly why it matters. When the Berlinale lights up Berlin in February, it will do so with a film that refuses comfort and trades spectacle for truth. No Good Men, the latest feature by Afghan filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat, opens the 2026 Berlin Film Festival with a story that feels intimate, political, romantic, and alive.
This is the kind of announcement that makes producers lean forward, financiers stop scrolling, and filmmakers quietly smile into their espresso. It is bold without being loud. Personal without being precious. And yes, it has laughs. The kind that sneak up on you when the stakes are high.
For a city that prides itself on edge, honesty, and appetite, Berlin could not ask for a better opening note.
Why No Good Men Is the Right Film for Berlin
Berlin understands contradiction. History and reinvention share the same sidewalk. No Good Men fits that rhythm perfectly. The film follows Naru, the only camerawoman at Kabul TV, who is convinced there are no good men in Afghanistan. Then comes Qodrat, a reporter who challenges her certainty during an assignment just before the Taliban’s return.
That tension is the engine. Not explosions. Not slogans. Just two people, a camera, and a country on the edge. It is relatable in a way that sneaks past defenses. Anyone who has sworn off love after one disappointment too many will recognize Naru’s certainty. Anyone who has ever been proven wrong in the most inconvenient way will feel the shift.
And yes, sparks fly. Not the glossy kind. The kind that make you laugh at the worst possible moment.
Shahrbanoo Sadat’s Voice Keeps Getting Sharper
Sadat’s earlier films Wolf and Sheep and Parwareshgah (The Orphanage) premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, establishing her as a filmmaker who does not flinch. With No Good Men, she adds warmth, romance, and a sense of play without losing bite.
“Shahrbanoo Sadat is one of the most exciting voices in world cinema…”
Tricia Tuttle
Berlinale Director
“…and No Good Men really delivers on the promise of her first two features,” Berlinale Director Tricia Tuttle said in a statement this afternoon.
“Sadat continues her vital work spotlighting Afghan women’s lives, here bringing romance and touches of humour to a rousingly political story. That it is based on real events, and the director risked so much to get this film made makes No Good Men even more meaningful as our Opening Gala of the 76th Berlinale.”
That last sentence lands hard. Risk matters. Berlin respects it.
An International Production With European DNA
The No Good Men Berlin Film Festival opening also tells a production story financiers will appreciate. The film is an international co-production between Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, and Afghanistan. Companies include Adomeit Film, La Fabrica Nocturna Cinéma, Motlys, Amerikafilm, and Wolf Pictures.
Shot across multiple locations in Germany, the film carries European texture while staying rooted in Afghan reality. It is proof that cross border collaboration still works when vision leads the way. And yes, it helps that the film sounds like it pairs well with late night currywurst debates and post screening wine. Flavor matters.
The film is also the third of five planned features based on autobiographical writings by author and actor Anwar Hashimi, who stars alongside Sadat in the lead role. There is continuity here. A long game. That should make producers take notes.
Berlinale 2026 Sets a Confident Tone
The festival, running February 12–22, 2026, has already signaled range. Panorama, Forum, and Expanded competitions include new works by global auteurs and a buzzy film starring Charli XCX. The mix feels deliberate. Political urgency next to pop culture heat. Berlin being Berlin.
Opening with No Good Men sets the table. It says this festival still believes cinema can be dangerous, funny, romantic, and deeply human all at once. A full plate. No empty calories.
For official festival details, visit the Berlinale site: https://www.berlinale.de
Mini FAQ: Berlin Film Festival
Q: Why is No Good Men opening the Berlin Film Festival?
A: Because it combines political urgency, romance, and risk in a way that reflects Berlin’s identity and the Berlinale’s values.
Q: Is No Good Men based on real events?
A: Yes. The film draws from real experiences, which adds weight and authenticity to its story.
Q: Who should pay attention to this film?
A: Filmmakers, producers, sales agents, and financiers looking for bold international cinema with emotional depth.
On Berlin’s Biggest Stage
The No Good Men Berlin Film Festival opening is more than a programming choice. It is a statement. Berlin is opening its biggest stage to a film that trusts its audience to think, feel, and maybe even laugh at the wrong moment. If you are heading to the Berlinale this year, make this your anchor screening. Then talk about it over dinner. The good kind. With spice.
