February, 2004 - Nr. 2
Hollywood stars to shine bright at Berlin film fest
TWIG - The critically-acclaimed U.S. Civil War epic "Cold Mountain" will open next month’s Berlin International Film Festival, kicking off a two-week program featuring 12 world premieres.
While the film, which is a hot contender for the Oscar, is not competing for a prize at the February 5-15 festival, its stars Nicole Kidman and Jude Law are nonetheless expected to stroll down the red carpet for the festival’s opening ceremony.
Oscar-winning U.S. actress Frances McDormand will also do her part to bring high-wattage Hollywood star power to Berlin — as the leader of the seven-member jury that will choose the winner of the Golden Bear top prize and other awards at the festival.
A total of 26 films will be in competition at the festival, with 22 of them in the running for top honors — the coveted Golden and Silver Berlin Bears.
Among the contenders for the Golden Bear are "Country of My Skull," director John Boorman’s look at South Africa’s national reconciliation efforts after apartheid; "Triple Agent," a political thriller set against the backdrop of Spanish Civil War, and "Trilogy: The Weeping Meadow," the first of three films conceived by Greek director Theo Angelopoulos to tell the epic story of his homeland.
Other contenders include French director Patrice Leconte’s "Intimate Strangers", a comedy about psychologists, as well as another world premier from France, "Red Lights," the tale of a troubled married couple.
"Before Sunset," independent director Richard Linklater’s follow up to 1994 Silver Bear winner "Before Sunrise," will reunite Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in a world premiere in competition, while "Monster," a U.S. production based on the true story of serial killer Aileen Wuornos, starring Charlize Theron, will also make its international premiere in competition.
Last year’s Golden Bear went to "In This World," British
director Michael Winterbottom’s story of two young Afghans who flee to
England.
Republished with permission from "The Week in Germany"
Links:
Berlin International Film
Festival
