Berlinale Film Fest to open with “Farewell, My Queen”

PanARMENIAN.Net - The 62nd Berlin International Film Festival kicks off February 9, LA Times reported.

Eighteen films will have their world premieres in the competition section, including “Barbara” from German favorite Christian Petzold, about a woman trying to flee 1980s East Germany to meet her lover; “Captive,” by Filipino director Brillante Mendoza, which concerns an aid worker (Isabelle Huppert) kidnapped by Islamic separatists; and “Bai lu yuan” (“White Deer Plain”) from Chinese director Wang Quan'an, who won a Silver Bear for “Tuya's Marriage” in 2007. The three-hour film, which focuses on three generations of a family from China's western plain over a half-century, is based on what's been called “one of the most controversial Chinese novels in contemporary times.”

The only U.S. competition entry this year is the 1960s drama “Jayne Mansfield's Car,” directed by and starring Billy Bob Thornton, with Robert Duvall, John Hurt and Kevin Bacon.

The opening gala features “Les Adieux à la Reine” (“Farewell, My Queen”), from director Benoît Jacquot. Stars Diane Kruger, Lea Seydoux and Virginie Ledoyen will walk the red carpet, adding the requisite glamour and gowns. The film focuses on the last days of Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution, with Kruger taking the lead role.

Among the other jurors this year are Jake Gyllenhaal, Dutch photographer and filmmaker Anton Corbijn, German actress Barbara Sukowa, and Asghar Farhadi, the Iranian director of “A Separation.” Mike Leigh is leading the panel.

Films screening out of competition include the seductive costume drama “Bel Ami,” with Robert Pattinson and Uma Thurman; the 3-D “The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate,” with Jet Li; and the IRA-themed “Shadow Dancer” with Clive Owen, Gillian Anderson and Andrea Riseborough.

The festival's highlights and classics section, Berlinale Special, will premiere several documentaries.

The Berlinale this year includes a special focus on the Arab world, with films, panel discussions and installations representing Egypt, Syria, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and other countries.

Berlinale Special will also present a selection of films - from “Kramer vs. Kramer” to “The Iron Lady” - in tribute to Meryl Streep, who will receive this year’s Honorary Golden Bear.