Berlinale Film Fest to open with “Farewell, My Queen”February 9, 2012 - 15:36 AMT 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. Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | U.S. warns Georgia not to side with Moscow against the west Georgia has been warned by the U.S. not to become an adversary of the west by falling back in line with Moscow. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children Moscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said. Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19. |