Exclusive Trailer for Sophie Somerville's Berlinale Premiere Fwends Depicts Life in Melbourne
Launching this week, the 2025 Berlinale offers an eclectic display of global cinema. One debut we’re keeping an eye on is from Sophie Somerville, an Australian writer, director, and editor based in Melbourne, whose short films have previously been showcased at festivals such as Telluride, the London Short Film Festival, and the Sydney Film Festival. As part of Berlinale’s Forum lineup, her directorial debut, *Fwends*, will world-premiere this Saturday, and we are excited to exclusively present the first trailer.
Here’s the synopsis: “Wandering through Melbourne: Em has come from Sydney to visit her friend Jessie. They have no specific plans, and Em doesn’t even have a proper duvet, though the two young women won’t be sleeping anyway. Soon, their sweet, insightful chatter springs into action, shifting from trivial topics to weighty discussions and back again. Both women are adrift in their own right: Em due to the exploitative and misogynistic environment surrounding her supposed dream job, and Jessie, who finds herself in a void after a breakup. The time they spend together becomes a playful space, where their leisurely meanderings through the city evolve into a reflection on themselves and their surroundings. *Fwends* explores the intricate, delicate space between late adolescence and adulthood, or as director Sophie Somerville aptly puts it, ‘being in your 20s is staring into a dark, deep, meaningless void.’ Yet, the film leans more towards comedy than drama, presenting challenging present-day realities with costumes, special effects, rap, and improvisation. Created on a modest budget, *Fwends* takes unexpected turns, serving as a loving tribute to a bustling city in spring.”
“I believe it’s crucial to tell stories that reflect ordinary people who resemble us,” Somerville shares. “It’s a means to examine ourselves with a bold, playful, and questioning perspective. There is much healing and catharsis in being honest about our fears, wounds, chaos, and humor. My primary goal in making *Fwends* was to find a way to depict two authentic individuals and the real world, in all its splendid messiness. I find that mess to be quite beautiful.”
Watch the exclusive trailer below.
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Exclusive Trailer for Sophie Somerville's Berlinale Premiere Fwends Depicts Life in Melbourne
Starting this week, the 2025 Berlinale offers a diverse exhibition of global cinema. One notable directorial debut we’re watching is by Sophie Somerville, an Australian writer, director, and editor based in Melbourne, whose short films have previously been featured at the Telluride Film Festival, London Short Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, among others. This film is included in Berlinale's Forum section.