The 59th Berlin International Film Festival was held from 5 February to 15 February 2009. The opening film of the festival was Tom Tykwer’s The International, screened out of competition. Costa-Gavras's Eden Is West served as the closing night film at the festival. The festival's jury president was the British actress Tilda Swinton.

The Milk of Sorrow is a 2009 Peruvian-Spanish drama film directed, written and co-produced by Claudia Llosa. The film stars Magaly Solier and addresses the fears of abused women during Peru's recent history.