ZCZC
BFF-08
ENTERTAINMENT-GERMANY-FILM-FESTIVAL
Berlin filmfest rolls out red carpet for women trailblazers
BERLIN, Feb 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Europe’s first major film festival of the
year, the Berlinale, kicks off Thursday making a statement against
entertainment industry sexism by welcoming an unprecedented line-up of female
directors.
The 11-day event prides itself on being the most politically engaged of
the A-list cinema showcases, presenting 400 movies from around the world,
most on hard-hitting topical themes including rising extremism and economic
exploitation.
But its red carpet promises a steady stream of glamour too with Christian
Bale, Diane Kruger, Tilda Swinton, Catherine Deneuve, Jonah Hill, Chiwetel
Ejiofor, Casey Affleck and Juliette Binoche, this year’s jury president, all
awaited in the frosty German capital.
Binoche, 54, will lead a six-member panel choosing the winner of the
prestigious Golden and Silver Bear prizes, to be awarded at a gala ceremony
on February 16.
Last year, with the #MeToo movement roiling the industry, the innovative
docudrama “Touch Me Not” about sexual intimacy by Romania’s Adina Pintilie
clinched top honours.
For the first time this year, seven out of the 17 contenders will be women
— a more than 40-percent share that eclipses rivals such as Cannes and
Venice, which have come under fire as chummy men’s clubs.
The top festivals have long faced pressure to boost their female
representation as they serve as gatekeepers to international distribution,
awards and box office cash.
– ‘Take a backseat’ –
Binoche welcomed the more diverse selection, saying it was long overdue
and sent a message beyond the world of cinema.
“I think a lot of men don’t get how women for generations have had to take
a backseat,” she told this week’s Der Spiegel magazine.
“But (Berlinale chief) Dieter Kosslick assured me that he made his choices
because they’re good films, not just because women directed them.”
Denmark’s Lone Scherfig, who made the Oscar-nominated coming-of-age tale
“An Education” in 2009, will start the festival with the premiere of her film
“The Kindness of Strangers”.
The bittersweet drama stars Zoe Kazan (“The Big Sick”) as a mother of two
who has to rely on her fellow New Yorkers for help, in a cast including
Andrea Riseborough (“The Death Of Stalin”) and Bill Nighy (“Love Actually”).
Scherfig, 59, said she was proud her film would be opening the last
Berlinale under Kosslick, who is passing on the baton after 18 years.
“It’s a milestone edition so I’m really looking forward to presenting the
film there,” Scherfig told film industry bible Variety.
Polish veteran Agnieszka Holland will unveil the Stalin-era thriller “Mr
Jones” starring James Norton (“Happy Valley”) while France’s Agnes Varda will
premiere a new autobiographical documentary out of competition.
Acclaimed French director Francois Ozon will present his controversial new
drama “By the Grace of God” based on real-life cases of sex abuse allegedly
committed by a French priest.
A cardinal, Philippe Barbarin, is currently on trial in Lyon on charges he
covered up the assaults, allegations he denies.
– ‘World’s biggest festival’ –
Kosslick, 70, is credited with expanding the Berlinale and boosting its
international profile with high-wattage guests ranging from the Rolling
Stones to festival regulars Swinton and George Clooney.
“Our fans have stayed true to us and grown so much that we can say we’re
the world’s biggest film festival in terms of audience,” Kosslick told AFP,
with around a half-million tickets sold each year.
Kosslick will be handing over the reins at a time of growing competition
from streaming services but said he saw scope for cinemas to “co-exist” and
thrive.
After winning the Golden Lion top prize at the Venice film festival in
September with “Roma”, Netflix will enter the Berlin race for the first time
with gay marriage drama “Elisa and Marcela” by Spain’s Isabel Coixet, based
on a true story.
In June, Kosslick will be succeeded by Carlo Chatrian, the current head of
the Locarno film festival, and Mariette Rissenbeek, the Dutch director of
German Film, which promotes homegrown movies abroad.
For his last edition Kosslick has opted to make a parting political
statement, offering to buy tickets for leaders of the far-right Alternative
for Germany party to a screening of “Who Will Write Our History?”, a
documentary about the Warsaw Ghetto.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 0847 hrs