New leadership, red carpets stars, exciting programming and a Nazi-era related scandal: Get the lowdown on this year's Berlinale as it kicks off on February 20.
Image: Imago Images/A. Friedrichs
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70th Berlinale opens with red carpet gala
The Berlin International Film Festival opens with the film "My Salinger Year," starring Sigourney Weaver. A minute of silence is to be held for the victims of the Hanau terror attack.
Image: Reuters/M. Tantussi
Star of the opening film: Sigourney Weaver
In "My Salinger Year," Sigourney Weaver plays the role of an old-school New York literary agent whose main goal is to protect the aging cult author J.D. Salinger from his intrusive admirers. Weaver, legendary for her Ellen Ripley role in the "Alien" films, revealed her own perspective on fans: "They are the people we work for," she said at a press conference on Friday ahead of the world premiere.
Image: Reuters/M. Tantussi
New festival directors kick off 70th Berlinale
Succeeding to longtime director Dieter Kosslick, festival management duo Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek pose together on the red carpet as they open their first Berlin festival as directors. Among the noticeable changes this year is the fact that the opening film is not part of the main competition. There are 18 works running for the Golden and Silver Bears.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Carstensen
A minute of silence for victims of terror attacks
Beyond the afternoon rain, Wednesday night's deadly racist attacks in Germany contributed to dampening the festive mood of the opening: "We are deeply saddened to hear what has happened in Hanau and our thoughts go out to the victims and their families," said a festival spokesperson. A minute of silence is to be held during the opening to commemorate the victims.
Image: AFP/J. Macdougall
Based on a real-life story
Canadian director Philippe Falardeau (left of Sigourney Weaver) adapted the coming-of-age story from Joanna Rakoff's 2014 hit memoir "My Salinger Year," based on her own experience working at the storied NY agency in the 1990s. For Falardeau, the film is not so much about Salinger, but rather about the impact an author can have on a young person's life. The film crew poses here on the red carpet.
Image: Reuters/M. Tantussi
They will pick the winning films
The international jury was also introduced during the opening gala. President Jeremy Irons and his six accompanying jury members — actress Berenice Bejo, producer Bettina Brokemper, director Annemarie Jacir, filmmaker Kenneth Lonergan, actor Luca Marinelli and film critic Kleber Mendonca Filho — embark on a 10-day journey that will end with the awarding of Golden and Silver Bears on February 29.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/C. Soeder
Jeremy Irons' 'distracting' past comments
Actor Jeremy Irons, president of this year's Berlinale jury, opened a press conference on Friday by distancing himself from controversial comments he had made in the past on sex abuse, same-sex marriage and abortion, which he claimed to have "already refuted and apologized for." Hoping "to put those past comments to bed," he emphasized his support for human rights and achievements on those issues.
Image: Reuters/F. Bensch
Daniel Brühl on different film fronts
As Daniel Brühl arrived on the red carpet, fans had him sign posters of Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Basterds," in which he played a German war hero. Though the popular actor is not starring in any Berlinale film this year, he recently announced that was to produce and star in a German-language film adaptation of the World War I classic novel, "All Quiet on the Western Front."
Image: Reuters/A. Hilse
From Berlin to Bollywood: Tom Tykwer
Years before he co-directed the acclaimed "Berlin Babylon" series, German filmmaker Tom Tykwer became famous for his Berlin film "Run Lola Run" (1998). Days before the opening of the Berlin film festival, Sony Pictures India announced that a Hindi-language remake will be released in 2021.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/C. Soeder
A Berlinale regular: Fatih Akin
The filmmaker won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale for his film "Head-On" in 2004. Akin is not showing any works at the festival this year, but a restored version of his 1998 film, "Short Sharp Shock" is to be released in March.
Image: Reuters/M. Tantussi
Supporting German cinema: Monika Grütters
German Minister of State for Culture and Media Monika Grütters was also a smiling guest of honor on the red carpet. She said this week that shortly after the Berlinale she would be presenting a first draft for a new funding law to help the country's film industry.
Image: Getty Images/A. Rentz
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1. New leadership, new ideas
This year the Berlinale turns 70 and faces a new beginning. After 19 years of festival leadership under Dieter Kosslick, a new era has begun under artistic director Carlo Chatrian and executive director Mariette Rissenbeek. The largest German film festival has gotten a makeover with new venues, film series and forums for discussion.
Potsdamer Platz remains the festival's epicenter, while Alexanderplatz also serves as second central location. The Berlinale's program has slimmed down a bit, and will screen no more than a total of 340 new films this year. Movie lovers are still spoiled for choice, however: 13 sections will showcase premieres.
2. The race for the Golden Bear
The heart of the Berlinale remains the Competition section. Carlo Chatrian and his team have invited 18 films to compete for the Golden and Silver Bears. Films from Germany, Western and Eastern Europe, the USA, Latin and Central America, Southeast Asia and Iran are all hoping to take home one of the prestigious trophies.
This year, those competing include both well-known directors and newcomers, too. Yet the new and improved Berlinale is no longer emphasizing Hollywood red carpet glitz and glamour, but instead taking a look at new innovations in cinema and films that are outside the box.
Highlights of the 2020 Berlin Film Festival
The 70th edition of the Berlinale presents a new management duo, new series and competitions. Beginning on February 20, the German capital is caught up in 10 days of film fever. Here's what you need to know.
Image: Imago Images/A. Friedrichs
New kids on the block
Carlo Chatrian is the Berlin Film Festival's new artistic director, while Mariette Rissenbeek is responsible for its management. Chatrian is an acknowledged film history expert and previously headed the Locarno Festival. Rissenbeek worked for German Films, the national organization for the international promotion of German cinema. Both follow in the footsteps of longtime director Dieter Kosslick.
Image: Alexander Janetzko/Berlinale 2019
New optics, new sections, new venues
The new management brings a breath of fresh air to Germany's oldest film festival, with a new look for the festival posters, new venues, new sections in the program and a new focus. The program has also been streamlined; while it previously used to include about 400 works, 340 films will be screened during the festival this year.
Image: Imago Images/A. Friedrichs
Location Berlin
The international competition this year has 18 films all hoping to win a Golden or Silver Bear award. Three films actually take place in the German capital, including "Berlin Alexanderplatz" (photo) by German-Afghan director Burhan Qurbani.
Image: Wolfgang Ennenbach/2019 Sommerhaus/eOne Germany
Beyond Hollywood
Unlike in past years, where at least one Hollywood film was in the running, this year's US contributions are films produced independently of the big studios, without the usual Hollywood stars. A few big-name actors star in a British production, Sally Potter's "The Roads Not Taken": Javier Bardem, Elle Fanning (photo), Salma Hayek and Laura Linney.
Image: Adventure Pictures
The 'DAU' series
Russian director Ilya Khrzhanovsky spent years working on "DAU," a set of 13 feature films, series and documentaries created from 700 hours of material. The feature film "DAU. Natasha" is in the main competition at the Berlinale. The documentary "DAU. Degeneration" (photo), looks at the story of Soviet physicist Lev Davidovich Landau, and is part of a special series at the festival.
Image: Phenomen Film
2020 jury president
Jeremy Irons is jury president this year. The British actor with Hollywood experience heads an international jury of six actors, directors and a producer from Germany.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Smith
Opener: 'My Salinger Year'
Chatrian decided not to open the Berlinale with a film that is in the running for the top prize, the Golden Bear. He hopes for a relaxed atmosphere when the film festival kicks off with "My Salinger Year," a story about the world of literature, the author of the cult novel "Catcher in the Rye" and an agent played by Sigourney Weaver.
Image: Berlinale/Micro-Scope
More awards: 'Encounters'
Carlo Chatrian and his new team naturally also want to put their own stamp on the Berlinale. The new director launched a second competition, the "Encounters" series that also promises awards. Fifteen films are competing, including Portuguese director Catarina Vasconcelos' debut film, "The Metamorphosis of Birds," pictured above.
Image: Primeira Idade
Five decades of new cinema
This year, the "International Forum of New Cinema" section, created to add new cinematic forms, experiments and newcomers to the competition, celebrates its 50th anniversary. Christina Nord is the Forum's new director. Thirty-five films will be shown, including "Victoria," a documentary exploring a Los Angeles desert (photo).
Image: Caviar
Sexy, edgy, daring
"Panorama" is another major Berlinale section that features world premieres. "Sexy, edgy, daring" is how the section describes itself. It is by its own accounts "explicitly queer, explicitly feminist, explicitly political" and focuses on "what is new, daring, unconventional and wild in today’s cinema." "No Hard Feelings" (photo) is about refugees in a small town in Germany.
Image: Edition Salzgeber/Jünglinge Film
For the younger generation
The "Generation" section has been around for a long time, and is aimed at younger audiences. This year, 59 new films will be shown for children and young adults. The Dutch film "Paradise Drifters" (photo) tells the story of three teenage drifters in search of security and a place to stay.
Image: Jasper Wolf/2019 Pupkin
Hillary at the Berlinale?
A four-hour documentary series may turn out to be one of the festival's big hits — in particular because its "leading actress" is expected to be in Berlin for the European premiere. It is about the life and career of former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. "Hillary" will be broadcast worldwide by streaming provider Hulu beginning in March.
Image: Clinton Foundation
Cinematic history
The Berlinale is also a showcase for cinematic history. The screening of the restored version of the silent film classic "The Wax Museum" is bound to be a highlight. A major film history retrospective is dedicated to Hollywood director King Vidor. He directed in the silent movie era and later created epic historical movies like the 1959 romance "Solomon and Sheba" (photo).
Image: Park Circus/MGM
No getting past series
These days, a major film festival can hardly afford not to show series. The Berlinale presents series premieres from Australia, Denmark, Germany, France, Canada, Austria, the US and the UK. That includes new formats: For instance, the six episodes of the Danish series "Sex" have a total running time of only 77 minutes.
Image: Profile Pictures
Accolades for two women
Cinema lovers will find out who won the 2020 Golden Bear on February 29. The recipients of two other prizes have already been determined: The Berlinale Camera 2020 goes to German director Ulrike Oettinger, the Golden Honorary Bear to Helen Mirren (photo). The actress who starred in "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover" and "The Queen" is also being honored with an homage.
Image: Giles Keyte
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3. An international jury
British actor Jeremy Irons heads this year's jury. Irons, who has a 40-year successful acting career behind him, was awarded an Oscar in 1991 for his role in thriller flick Reversal of Fortune. Irons has enjoyed success both in Hollywood's blockbuster films and avant-garde cinema and is sure to bring a discerning eye to the panel.
He is joined on the jury by French-Argentinian actress Berenice Bejo, Italian actor Luca Marinelli and directors Kenneth Lonergan (USA), Annemarie Jacir (Palestine) and Kleber Mendonca Filho (Brazil), along with German producer Bettina Brokemper.
4. Beyond the Competition
It would be a mistake to reduce the Berlinale merely to its main category, the Competition, which consists of 18 films. In the tried and tested sections such as Forum, Panorama, Generation and Retrospective, visitors can watch films from all over the world and find everything they desire, from experimental films to documentaries. This year also features a new series, Encounters, which presents works from innovative filmmakers who use unique narrative techniques.
Christian Petzold's 'Undine' with Paula Beer is one of the highlights of the competitionImage: Christian Schulz/Schramm Film
5. Opening film out of competition
Chatrian made a bold decision not to open the Berlinale this year with a competition film. His rationale, he said, was that too much international media attention can harm the opening film. As a result, My Salinger Year, a Canadian-Irish production starring Hollywood star Sigourney Weaver opens the festival, but it is not out to get any awards. It tells the story of a young author who deals with the estate of the famous writer J.D. Salinger.
6. The Germans at the Berlinale
Traditionally, the Berlin International Film Festival is a venue to highlight new German cinema, and this year is no exception. A total of 46 German films and co-productions will be screened.
One highly anticipated premiere is Berlin Alexanderplatz, a modern adaptation of the 1929 novel of the same name by Alfred Döblin. The new film by Afghan-German director Burhan Qurbani depicts modern-day Berlin with its protagonist, Francis, a refugee who is tempted by the city's shady underworld.
Also in the competition is the new film by German director Christian Petzold, Undine, as well as another one starring German actorsLars Eidingerand Nina Hoss, the Swiss film My Little Sister. In addition, German films are screened across all sections, with the Perspektive Deutsches Kinos section focusing on young talent.
German star Lars Eidinger is in several works: 'Persian Lessons' by Vadim Perelman is screened in the Berlinale Special sectionImage: HYPE FILM
7. A political lean
The Berlinale has always been regarded as the most "political" of the three major European festivals (Berlin, Cannes, Venice), and this is unlikely to change under the new management.
A glance at the current program shows numerous films focusing on current events and historical topics, such as Competition documentary film Irradiated by Rithy Panh about the massacres in Cambodia. Then there's the series Hillary, which follows the career of Hillary Clinton. A new film by Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, There is no Evil, about structural oppression is likely to provide fodder for discussion. It is still unclear whether or not the director will be allowed to even travel to the premiere.
The documentary 'Speer Goes to Hollywood' by Vanessa Lapa looks into the myth surrounding the infamous NaziImage: Hanns-Peter Frentz
8. Stars, red carpet and Hollywood flair
Even though the festival's new leadership may not emphasize the red carpet glitz and glamour as much as their predecessor, this year's events are nonetheless packed with star power. A formidable group of celebrities appears in The Roads Not Taken by British director Sally Potter. It stars Javier Bardem, Elle Fanning, Salma Hayek and Laura Linney.
Willem Dafoe will also be in attendance; he's presenting his new film, Siberia. Sigourney Weaver is also expected on the red carpet.
9. Women reign
"The Berlinale attaches great importance to transparency in the gender distribution of the Berlinale program," according to a statement put out by the festival. The organizers have meticulously prepared a list of statistics about gender diversity during the 2020 festival.
Out of 340 films, for example, 137 women were "involved in the field of directing." When it comes to the number of women on management and selection committees, the Berlin festival gives other similarly sized festivals a run for their money. Two of the festival's major awards will go to women: Helen Mirren receives the Honorary Bear, while filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger is the recipient of Berlinale Camera.
Ulrike Ottinger will be honored with the Berlinale Camera awardImage: Jelka von Langen
10. A place of business
The Berlinale is not only a festival for viewers, critics and cinema-lovers. There's also plenty of film industry business taking place. At the European Film Market, more than 500 exhibitors from 62 countries sell films to approximately 1,100 buyers from all over the world.
Another initiative, the World Cinema Fund, presents projects and films from regions that are otherwise not in focus internationally.
The Berlinale Co-Production Market also provides information about the latest productions made with the help of the Berlinale, while Berlinale Talents brings together the best and brightest young filmmakers from all over the world.
11. Dealing with a Nazi past
Around three weeks before the start of the 70th Berlinale, the festival found itself in the center of an embarrassing historical debacle. According to information unearthed by German media, Berlinale's first director, Alfred Bauer, was a staunch Nazi. Bauer, who helmed the Berlinale from its inception in 1951 until 1976, had always played down his political past, despite the fact that he had been a bankrolled member of the party. From 1942 onwards, he was an adviser to the ReichsfilmIntendanz, which regulated the cinema industry under Hitler. The Berlinale suspended a major prize named after Bauer as a result. This topic could still be trending once the festival gets underway.
