German director Tom Tykwer will open the Berlin film festival Thursday with a drama about a Syrian housekeeper, in the midst of a national election campaign that has been dominated by a bitter migration debate.

Congratulations to the city on getting this extraordinary director to lead this beloved festival into the future,” said German director Edward Berger ( Conclave, All Quiet on the Western Front ), capturing the sense of optimism and excitement over Tuttle’s appointment,