RIMOWA introduces a new short-form film series that focuses on defining moments in the lives of cultural figures. The German Maison begins the project with an intimate portrait of Michelle Yeoh as she receives the Honorary Golden Bear during the opening ceremony of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. Through a combination of photography and film directed by French-Moroccan filmmaker Otman Qrita, the series captures the atmosphere surrounding a major milestone in Yeoh’s career.
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For decades, RIMOWA has worked with artists and cultural voices whose careers reflect dedication to craft. This new format continues that dialogue through a more personal lens. Each episode follows a renowned talent during a pivotal moment, documenting the work, discipline, and years of persistence that shape a lasting career. Instead of focusing on a single achievement, the series explores the experiences and decisions that build toward those defining moments.
Michelle Yeoh opens the series at a point of recognition that spans an entire career. During the 76th Berlinale, she received the Honorary Golden Bear, an award that acknowledges her contribution to cinema across decades of work in international film. The episode traces the lead-up to this moment, capturing Yeoh within the atmosphere of the festival while reflecting on the path that led her there.
Her connection with Germany and the Berlin International Film Festival stretches back many years, which adds further meaning to the occasion. The award celebrates a career that crosses languages, genres, and continents. Yeoh reflects on that journey in the film, describing the unexpected direction her life has taken since her early years in Malaysia.
“I never imagined that a girl from Malaysia, who loved discipline, dance, dreaming without limits would travel so far through stories,” Yeoh says in the project. “My path has crossed languages and cultures, continents and genres. Sometimes gracefully, sometimes a little painfully but always guided by curiosity and deep faith in cinema.”
To mark the occasion, RIMOWA created a bespoke case designed specifically to house the Golden Bear award. The piece draws on the Maison’s long tradition of precision manufacturing and aluminium craftsmanship. Produced at RIMOWA’s historic facility in Cologne, the case uses anodised grooved aluminium, the signature material that defines the brand’s travel pieces.
The design follows the visual codes of the Classic Collection, incorporating a leather handle, polished silver hardware, and a TSA-approved lock. Inside, a custom-shaped inlay secures the Golden Bear so that the award remains protected during transport while also allowing it to be displayed at home. The case serves as a functional object as well as a symbolic gesture that connects Yeoh’s recognition with RIMOWA’s own dedication to craft.
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By framing the award within a custom case and documenting the ceremony through film, the project extends the meaning of the moment beyond the festival stage. The Golden Bear becomes part of a narrative that reflects persistence, discipline, and creative curiosity across a lifetime of work.
RIMOWA plans to release additional episodes later in the year, each focusing on another artist at a personal milestone. The series will continue to explore the journeys behind visible achievements, offering audiences a closer look at the experiences that shape careers across film, art, and culture.
