The 71st Berlin Film Festival, dedicated entirely to audiences and inspired by the skies over Berlin, opened on June 9 on Museum Island in the heart of Berlin
"Finally shiny cinema again," said the minister of culture, Monika Grutters, with visible excitement at the opening of the 71st Berlin Film Festival, its summer session (the online session took place from March 1 to 5). She has praised the "perseverance and dedication" of the festival's directors, Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek, who "even against common sense" were adamant in their decision to have a summer Berlinale.
"I can not believe that after 16 months in front of several hundred guests (350 seats) in this makeshift open-air cinema, between the Old National Gallery and the New Museum, film screenings begin again. Film art meets the world cultural heritage," said Grutters, probably given the imposing backdrop set on the Museum Island, behind which you can see the city sights: the Cathedral, the Television Tower and Humboldt Forum (since this year's festival will not be held on Potsdamer Platz).
The journalists commented that the clothes, unlike the opening ceremonies, is far more casual and that the whole atmosphere is reminds of the usually movie watching. After all, as Chatrian said, Berlinale has always been a democratic event. "People turned the streets and parks into their living rooms. We want to be inspired by that mood. Cinemas are important to Berlin, so this year they are our co-organizers. People wanted to hear a voice because of the heavily shaken film industry. Not an objection, but a voice as a sign of hope," said Chatrian. Commissioner Grutters, who was also very excited, began to praise the sky over Berlin, but unfortunately she mistaken the director. As the journalists joked, Wim Wenders will probably get over it, but it will be difficult for her official speaker to get over it...
However, the summer session is entirely dedicated to the audience. The films, a total of 126 screenings, will be screened in 16 open-air venues throughout the city, and the star this time is the audience, not the guests, nor the movie stars. An Audience Award was introduced in the main program, and the rush for 60.000 tickets, as many as are available, was incredible. After all, this is always the case in Berlin, usually 330 thousand tickets are sold, the audience has always had a special place here, unlike Cannes or Venice.
The festival, which runs until June 20, opened with a political thriller by Kevin Macdonald, “The Mauritanian” starring: Tahar Rahim, Jodie Foster and Benedict Cumberbatch. It is a true story of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, who will be imprisoned without charge for 14 years in the infamous Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. Jodie Foster and Benedict Cumberbatch did not appear at the opening, but sent video messages, and the film was presented by lawyer Nancy Hollander, played by Foster. Slahi's wife, also an American human rights lawyer, was present, but not Slahi, who is not allowed to travel to Germany.
Everyone already knows that the Berlinale awards were announced in March, and their presentation will take place on June 13 on Museum Island. The “Golden Bear” winner, Romanian director Radu Jude and the premiere of his "Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn" are expected. There will not be many stars and premieres, but the grand premieres are expected to take place mainly on German films in the program. In any case, this year's Berlinale is held completely outdoors and, unlike Cannes, with many restrictions, reduced number of guests and audience and strict measures.
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