“Desire Will Set You Free” is a feature film that delves into modern-day Berlin, offering a critical yet occasionally humorous perspective. Inspired by real events, the narrative centers on the relationship between an American writer with Israeli/Palestinian roots and a Russian artist striving to make it while working as a hustler. The film provides a glimpse into the city’s lively queer and underground scenes, while also exploring the contrasts between the lives of expatriates and refugees. As the characters navigate Berlin, they uncover layers of the city’s history and subcultures, encountering influences and remnants from the Weimar Republic, World War II, the era of David Bowie, and the punk movement.