The full competition program for the Berlin Film Festival has been revealed and it’s an interesting mix of arthouse fare and straight-up Hollywood schlock.
By far the most exciting and long-awaited title is Béla Tarr‘s “The Turin Horse” which will be making its world premiere at the festival. Announced as the last film from the legendary filmmaker, the film faced production delays in 2008 due to harsh weather conditions, and while it was expected to crop up on the 2010 festival calendar, it never materialized. But finally, the wait is over and we’re anxious to see what’s in store. The film’s subject matter is simple — the poor health of an old work horse that belongs to a rural farmer and his daughter compromises their jobs and livelihoods — and coupled with Tarr’s trademark long takes and minimalist approach it should prove fascinating. Also joining the Berlin festival is a title that seems to have been made completely under the radar. “Maria Full Of Grace” director Joshua Marston will unveil “The Forgiveness Of Blood,” a film boasting a cast of unknowns/non-actors, shot in Albanian and offering up a fictional tale about the blood feuds that are still very much a part of life in the region. You can read more details about the film here.
But if you’re looking for stars, Berlin will have those too as J.C. Chandor‘s “Margin Call,” starring Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore, Paul Bettany, Zachary Quinto and more will make its international premiere. The film is another financial crisis drama, this time following events over 24 hours at the beginning of the Wall Street crash. It makes its U.S. premiere at Sundance starting this week. Also making its international premiere is “Unknown” with Liam Neeson which will find him meting out justice against those who dared steal his daughter identity. So for anyone hitting Berlin and worried about an endless string of taxing dramas, there will be some relief. Check out the full list of additions to the festival below.
Competition programme:
A Torinói Ló (The Turin Horse) Hungary/France/Germany/Switzerland
By Béla Tarr (Satantango, Werckmeister Harmonies)
With János Derzsi, Erika Bók, Mihály Kormos
World premiere
Almanya – Willkommen in Deutschland (Almanya) Germany
By Yasemin Samdereli – debut film
With Vedat Erincin, Fahri Yardin, Aylin Tezel,Lilay Huser, Demet Gül
World premiere / Out of Competition
El premio (The Prize) Mexico/France/Poland/Germany
By Paula Markovitch – debut film
With Paula Galinelli Hertzog, Sharon Herrera, Laura Agorreca, Viviana
Suraniti, Uriel Lasillo
World premiere
Jodaeiye Nader az Simin (Nader And Simin, A Separation) Iran
By Asghar Farhadi (About Elly, Fireworks Wednesday)
With Leila Hatami, Peyman Moadi, Shahab Hosseini, Sareh Bayat, Sarina
Farhadi
International premiere
Les contes de la nuit (Tales Of The Night) France
By Michel Ocelot
World premiere – animated film in 3D
Les femmes du 6ème étage (Service Entrance) France
By Philippe Le Guay (Le coût de la vie)
With Fabrice Lucchini, Sandrine Kiberlain, Carmen Maura, Natalia Verbeke
International premiere / Out of Competition
Margin Call USA
By JC Chandor – debut film
With Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore , Paul Bettany, Zach Quinto
International premiere
Mein bester Feind (My Best Enemy) Austria/Luxemburg
By Wolfgang Murnberger (The Bone Man)
With Moritz Bleibtreu, Georg Friedrich, Ursula Strauss, Uwe Bohm,
Marthe Keller, Udo Samel
World premiere / Out of Competition
Saranghanda, Saranghaji Anneunda (Come Rain Come Shine) Republic of Korea
By Lee Yoon-ki (Love Talk, This Charming Girl)
With Lim Soo-jung, Hyan Bin
World premiere
Schlafkrankheit (Sleeping Sickness) Germany/France/Netherlands
By Ulrich Köhler (Windows on Monday, Bungalow)
With Pierre Bokma, Jean-Christophe Folly, Jenny Schily, Hippolyte Girardot
World premiere
The Forgiveness Of Blood USA
By Joshua Marston (Maria Full of Grace)
With Tristan Halilaj, Sindi Laçej, Refet Abazi, Ilire Vinca, Çelaj, Çun Lajçi
World premiere
Un Mundo Misterioso (A Mysterious World) Argentina/Germany/Uruguay
By Rodrigo Moreno (The Custodian)
With Esteban Bigliardi, Cecilia Rainero, Rosario Bléfari
World premiere
Unknown Germany/Great Britain/France
By Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan)
With Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Aidan Quinn, Bruno Ganz
International premiere / Out of Competition
V Subbotu (Innocent Saturday) Russia/Germany/Ukraine
By Alexander Mindadze (Otryv/ Soar)
With Anton Shagin, Svetlana Smirnova-Martsinkievich, Stanislav
Rjadinsky, Vjacheslav Petkun, Sergej Gromov
World premiere
Competition films announced in the press release on December 15, 2010:
Bizim Büyük Çaresizliğimiz (Our Grand Despair) by Seyfi Teoman,Turkey/Germany/Netherlands, world premiere
Coriolanus by Ralph Fiennes, Great Britain, world premiere
Odem (Lipstikka) by Jonathan Sagall, Israel/Great Britain, world premiere
Pina by Wim Wenders, Germany/France, world premiere / out of competition – dance film in 3D
The Future by Miranda July, Germany/USA, international premiere
True Grit by Joel and Ethan Coen, USA, international premiere / out of competition
Wer wenn nicht wir (If Not Us, Who) by Andres Veiel, Germany, world premiere
Yelling To The Sky by Victoria Mahoney, USA, world premiere
