The Berlin International Film Festival, also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany.
(prHWY.com) February 16, 2012 - Berlin, United Kingdom -- The Berlin International Film Festival, also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Up to 400 films are shown in several sections, representing a comprehensive array of the cinematic world. Around twenty films compete for the awards called the Golden and Silver Bears. Since 2001 the director of the festival has been Dieter Kosslick.
At the halfway point of the Berlin Film Festival -- the Berlinale -- organizers on Tuesday said that already 250,000 tickets had been sold. The numbers of sales were boosted by the addition of a new venue, the Haus der Berliner Festspiele, and it is occurring despite freezing temperatures, snow and ice on the streets, and often gridlocked traffic conditions around the main Potsdamer Platz theaters. In a statement, Festival Director Dieter Kosslick remarked, "The audience is pouring into cinemas and celebrating world stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Angelina Jolie, Isabelle Huppert and Christian Bale. People love the Berlinale - no matter how cold or icy it happens to be in Berlin." The Berlinale boasts that it is the largest audience festival in the world.
Films to look out for
In the Land of Blood and Honey: The earnest "save the world" sentiments of many of the Hollywood A-list are easily mocked, either as the manifestation of some sort of God complex or as a cynical PR gesture. Yet it would be churlish to doubt the good intentions of Angelina Jolie's uncompromising if turgid Balkan war film In the Land of Blood and Honey - the Oscar winner's feature debut as writer-director.
The Flowers of War: The much heralded Chinese blockbuster gets its first European showing, marking a new level in co-operation between Hollywood and China. Zhang "Hero" Yimou orchestrates this large-scale drama chronicling the Japanese assault on Nanjing in 1937, with its principal focus being American mortician John Miller (Christian Bale), who must find a way to protect a group of students from the Japanese invaders.
Iron Sky: - It is a B-movie spoof that has been screening at the festival's sidebar event, called Panorama. The plot revolves around a group of Nazis who escape to the moon at the end of World War II to plan a new assault. Interest in the film has raised eyebrows at the Berlin film gala, which is more used to heavyweight fare.
Captive: Captive is a slow burner - its meaning finds us right after we stop looking for it. It does not take sides or judge fundamentalism. On the contrary - it asks whether it is possible to understand its point of view. This is the first movie that looks at Arabic-Catholic conflict with such subtlety, depth and even a healthy touch of irony, making an effort to give terrorists voice and (to a certain degree) objective representation. With beautiful cinematography which makes the best use of exotic surroundings on top of all that, Captive for other competition films is definitely one of the strongest contestants to behold.
The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate: In stark contrast to White Deer Plain, here's the latest from prolific action Jackson Tsui Hark, probably best known for his "wuxia" martial arts hits like Once Upon a Time in China. He's back here with wuxia in 3D; Jet Li plays a chivalrous warrior attempting to track down a missing woman. Fans of airborne weaponry are sure to be satisfied.
Explore Berlin film festival with
www.CityBreak.uk.com book your (Flight + Hotels) deals from £167.64. You can book online or Call us on 0208 518 9700 for any support.
###