Berlin International Film Festival | 9 February

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Daily: Day 1 - 9 February

Competition

The Million Dollar Hotel (Opening film)
by Wim Wenders

In his 30-year career, Wim Wenders has made cinema history with films such as The American Friend (1976) and Wings Of Desire (1986). His 20th film, opening the 50th Berlin International Film Festival, is a departure from Wenders' previous oeuvre - not just a star-studded romantic thriller, The Million Dollar Hotel also crackles with dry humour. Nicholas Klein's script (based upon an original story by Bono and Klein) cleverly lets Tom Tom, who commits suicide at the story's outset, narrate the film from the afterlife, setting the melancholy tone - for Tom Tom has died of a broken heart.

Press conference

 

 
Focus

Early indications that the Berlinale will open with a bang were borne out today as box office sales scaled new heights. The first performances sold out within a few hours of tickets going on sale. Despite the stormy rains, the fans were there to welcome Wim Wenders and Milla Jovovich and Bono present for the opening screening of The Million Dollar Hotel. The gorgeous Gong Li, jury president, radiated charming smiles for the photographers as did German star and member of the jury, Maria Schrader.

Streaming video
Berlin in preparation
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  Streaming video
Focus on Wim Wenders, Milla Jovovich and Bono, Gong Li and Maria Schrader.
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  Streaming video
Opening night

 
Today's Screenings

Competition

The Million Dollar Hotel
Dir: Wim Wenders.
Cast: Jeremy Davies, Milla Jovovich, Mel Gibson.
Lost souls find a home at a rundown hotel with a promising name.
English. 122 mins.

Retrospective

Jules Et Jim
(France) 1961/62.
Dir: François Truffaut. Cast: Jeanne Moreau, Oskar Werner, Henri Serre.
A woman espouses individual notions of 'pure love' in a ménage à trois. 107 mins.
Hommage: Jeanne Moreau

Le Journal D'Une Femme De Chambre (Diary Of A Chamber Maid) (France)
1963/64.
Dir: Luis Buñuel.
Cast:Jeanne Moreau, Georges Géret.
A 19th century serving girl causes sexual frustration and other troubles in two houses. 97 mins.
Hommage: Jeanne Moreau


Bloody Mama
(US) 1970.
Dir: Roger Corman.
Cast: Shelley Winters, Robert De Niro.
1930's Outlaw Ma Barker and her sons conduct a reign of terror.
90 mins.
Hommage: Robert De Niro

The Curse Of Frankenstein
(UK) 1957.
Dir: Terence Fisher.
Cast: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Hazel Court.
A revamp of the 1931 film, this time with severed eyeballs and tons of gore. 90 mins.
+ short Frankenweenie


Panorama

Burlesk King
(Philippines)
Dir: Mel Chionglo.
Cast: Rodel Velayo, Nini Jacino, Leonardo Litton. Young Harry leaves a US military base in search of his American father. English subtitles. 109 mins.

Frankenstein
(US) 1931.
Dir: James Whale. Cast: Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff. The Gothic horror classic. Dr Frankenstein seeks to create the perfect man but his creature falls short of the mark.
70 mins.
CinemaxX-Kino 9

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